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SOUTHERN   BRANCH 

OVERS        ofCALIFORNI 

LIBRARY 

IX>3  ANGELES,  CAUR 


SELECTIONS 


FROM    THE 


EARLY  SCOTTISH  POETS 


EDITED     WITH 


INTRODUCTION,  NOTES  AND  GLOSSARY 


BY 

WILLIAM   HAND  BROWNE 

PROFESSOR  OF   ENGLISH   IITSRATURE  IN  THE  JOHNS  HOPKINS   UNIVKRSITr 


BALTIMORE 

THE  JOHNS  HOPKINS  PRESS 

1896 

f*1 


28257 


Copyright,  1896,  by  The  Johns  Hopkins  Press. 


JOHN   MURPHY  &  CO.,    PRINTERS, 
BALTIMORE. 


INTRODUCTION, 


It  is  a  common  error  to  regard  the  Scottish  language 

as   a   corrupted   and   somewhat   barbarous   dialect  of 

English.     So   far   from   this   being  so,  the   Lowland 

Scots  is  an  ancient  tongue,  at  least  as  ancient  as  that 

spoken  on  the  Thames,  and  fully  as  well  entitled  to 

call  itself  English,  as  being  the  direct  descendant  of 

the  old  Northern  or  Angle  speech. 

(^        In  the  very  earliest  Old  English  (or  Anglo-Saxon) 

•^     literature  we  find  four  forms  of  speech :  the  Northum- 

n.     brian  north  of  the  Humber,  the  Mercian  or  Midland 

between  the  Humber  and  the  Thames,  the  West  Saxon 

(0     at  the  south,  and  the  Kentish  in  the  south-east.     Of 

Q)     these  the  Northumbrian  and  the  Midland  were  both 

Anglian,  or  developments  of  the  language  of  the  Angles, 

v,  Jthe  most  numerous  and  powerful  of  the  conquerors  of 

i      Britain. 

^T  After  the  subsidence  of  the  disturbances  made  in  the 

<i      language  by  the  Norman  Conquest — say  towards  the 

end  of  the  thirteenth  century — the  Midland  began  to 

assume  a  predominant  position,  and   so  became  the 

parent    of  modern    English ;    the    southern    dialects 

1 


r 


2  INTRODUCTION. 

gradually  degenerated  into  local  patois;  but  the  North- 
ern held  its  own,  and  in  Scotland  was  the  language  of 
letters,  law,  and  diplomacy  for  centuries. 

While  the  people  now  living  between  the  Forth  and 
the  Tweed,  who  are  really,  as  will  presently  be  shown, 
successors  and  descendants  of  an  Anglian  population, 
call  themselves  Scots,  the  name  Scots  originally  denoted 
an  Irish  people.  The  transference  of  this  name  came 
about  in  the  following  way. 

In  the  very  earliest  accounts  that  we  have  of  Cale- 
donia (as  the  Romans  called  the  northern  part  of 
Britain)  we  are  told  of  two  races  occupying  it;  the 
Picts  at  the  north  and  the  Britons  at  the  south.  But, 
at  the  beginning  of  the  sixth  century,  an  Irish  chief- 
tain with  a  body  of  his  countrymen  calling  themselves 
Scots,  crossed  over  to  the  western  coast  and  founded  a 
kingdom.  Those  Irish  Scots  were  Christians,  and  ap- 
parently  much  more  advanced  in  arts  and  civilization 
than  the  Picts  and  Britons,  and  they  increased  in  terri- 
tories and  power ;  and  in  the  eighth  century  Picts  and 
Scots  were  merged  into  one  empire  or  kingdom  under 
the  King  of  the  Scots.  Late  in  the  tenth  century  the 
Britons  of  Strath clyde  were  also  brought  under  the 
same  rule. 

While  these  three  peoples,  Picts,  Scots,  and  Britons, 
were  all — the  Scots  and  Britons  certainly,  and  the  Picts 
almost  certainly— of  the  Keltic  stock,  they  had  upon 


INTRODUCTION.  3 

their  southeastern  border  a  people  of  Teutonic  blood. 
In  the  seventh  century  the  great  Anglian  kingdom  of 
Northumbria  extended  as  far  Dorth  as  the  Forth.  In 
the  succeeding  centuries  this  northern  part  of  Northum- 
bria was  a  debatable  land,  and  the  boundary  advanced 
and  receded,  until  by  successive  treaties,  all  that  part 
north  of  the  Tweed  came  under  the  dominion  of  the 
King  of  the  Scots.  But  even  then  it  was  recognized  as 
an  English  land,  and  had  its  own  language,  laws,  and 
customs. 

Scotland,  however,  all  this  time  remained  a  Keltic 
monarchy ;  and  what  we  may  call  the  national  speech — 
meaning  the  speech  of  the  great  majority  of  the  popu- 
lation, and  of  the  court  and  great  chiefs — was  a  Keltic 
tongue,  the  Gaelic.  But  about  the  latter  half  of  the 
eleventh  century  all  this  began  to  be  changed ;  the 
Angle-speech  of  Northumbria  began  to  supersede  the 
Gaelic  as  the  speech  of  the  court  and  of  the  laws,  and 
gradually  to  thrust  it  into  a  subordinate,  and  even  a 
discredited  position.  The  causes  which  led  to  this 
change  were  chiefly  these:  Malcolm  Canmore,  son  of 
King  Duncan  by  a  Northumbrian  lady,  was  half- 
Anglian  by  blood,  and  more  than  half  by  predilection. 
Fleeing  from  the  power  of  Macbeth,  he  found  an  asy- 
lum at  the  court  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  where  he 
saw  an  order,  dignity,  and  refinement  hitherto  unknown 
in  his  comparatively  barbarous  kingdom,  and  a  land 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

governed  by  written  laws  instead  of  tribal  customs  and 
the  arbitrary  pleasure  of  savage  chiefs.  Immediately 
after  the  Conquest,  Malcolm  married  the  sainted  Mar- 
garet, sister  of  Edgar  the  Atheling,  the  lineal  heir  to 
the  English  crown  ;  a  lady  whose  character  and  virtues 
have  been  exalted  by  legend  to  the  miraculous,  and 
must  have  profoundly  influenced  not  her  husband  only, 
but  the  whole  people.  At  the  same  time,  the  flight  of 
great  numbers  of  the  English  of  the  north  over  the 
border  into  Scotland  to  escape  the  heavy  hand  of  Wil- 
liam, who  were  heartily  welcomed  by  Malcolm,  made 
an  addition  to  the  Lowland  population  even  more  in- 
fluential than  numerous.  From  this  time  forth,  the 
English-speaking  part  of  the  population  began  to  be 
predominant,  and  the  royal  line  more  closely  identified 
with  them,  losing  at  the  same  time  its  hold  upon  the 
affections  and  loyalty  of  the  Gaelic  population. 

The  earliest  extant  specimens  of  the  Anglian  speech 
of  Scotland,  are  some  charters  of  Edgar  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  twelfth  century  ;  but  the  loss  of  records 
leaves  us  in  the  dark  as  to  the  transformations  it  under- 
went, until  the  fourteenth  century,  when  we  find  a  rich 
and  regular  literary  Scottish,  differing  but  slightly  from 
the  language  then  in  use  in  Northumbria.  This  was 
now  the  national  language  of  Scotland,  the  language 
of  the  court  and  diplomacy,  of  the  parliament  and 
the  laws,  of  poets  and  prose-writers.     The  writers  and 


INTRODUCTION.  O 

speakers,  very  properly,  called  it  "Inglis,"  the  term 
"  Scottis  "  being  sometimes  applied  to  the  Gaelic. 

In  the  fifteenth  century  we  can  perceive  that  a  dif- 
ferentiation has  taken  place  between  the  language  ot 
literature  and  the  familiar  speech  of  everyday  life.  The 
former  is  statelier,  and  adorned  with  words  borrowed 
from  the  Latin  and  French  ;  the  latter  vernacular, 
racily  idiomatic,  and  with  an  extraordinarily  rich  voca- 
bulary of  quaint  and  graphic  words  and  phrases  which 
were  not  admitted  to  the  literary  speech.  Comparison 
of  Dunbar's  serious  with  his  facetious  pieces,  or  of 
Douglas's  eighth  prologue  with  the  others  will  show 
this. 

By  the  time  of  the  Reformation  (1560)  the  literary 
speech,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  writings  of  Knox  and 
others,  shows  marked  southern  influences ;  and  the 
accession  of  James  VI  to  the  English  crown,  and  the 
removal  of  the  court  to  London,  gave  a  mortal  wound 
to  the  literary  Scottish.  In  London,  the  northern 
tongue  was  despised  as  a  barbarous  dialect ;  and  the 
men  of  letters  who  followed  James  to  the  capital,  such 
as  Alexander  and  Aytoun,  tried  to  write  the  English 
of  Jonson  and  Drayton.  Their  influence  reached  even 
home-staying  scholars,  like  Drummond,  in  whose  works 
a  Scotticism  can  rarely  be  found. 

But,  though  the  literary  language  perished,  the 
vernacular  speech  survived,  was,  doubtless,  habitually 


6  •     INTRODUCTION. 

spoken  even  by  scholars  and  literary  men,  and  was  used 
in  humorous,  satirical,  and  rustic  compositions,  and  in 
popular  songs.  Checked  by  no  standard,  it  ran  into 
dialects,  which  subdivided  into  local  patois.  Thus  the 
Scotch  of  Burns  is  not  the  Scotch  of  Aberdeen,  or 
Edinburgh,  or  Annandale,  but  that  of  Ayrshire,  much 
degraded,  phonetically,  by  the  loss  of  consonants. 

The  period  illustrated  by  these  specimens  is  that  of 
the  literary  language,  and  covers  about  two  centuries. 

Grammatical. 

The  spelling  of  the  early  Scottish  scribes  is  very  ar- 
bitrary, the  same  word  often  occurring  with  different 
spellings  in  the  same  sentence.  The  northern  forms  of 
Wyntoun  differ  greatly  from  those  of  his  contemporary 
James  I,  whose  southern  Scottish  was  much  influenced 
by  his  residence  at  the  English  court,  and  his  study  of 
Chaucer.     A  few  points,  however,  may  be  noticed. 

The  vowels  i  and  y  are  constantly  interchanged,  as 
feit,feyt  (feet).  The  long  o  is  sometimes  represented  by 
oi  or  oy,  as  hoip  (hope)  roys  (rose) ;  and  the  same  diph- 
thong often  replaces  u,  as  roif,  rufe;  reproif,  reprufe. 
The  vowel  u  is  often  represented  by  the  character  v, 
as  vgsum  (ugly),  and  sometimes  by  w,  as  wpe  (up). 
On  the  other  hand,  u  or  w  frequently  represents  the 
consonantal  v;  as  leues  (leaves),  lewyt  (left).  The 
consonants  /  and  v  often  interchange  ;  as  lufit  or  luvit 


•    INTRODUCTION.  i 

(loved).  F  is  doubled  at  discretion,  as  lufe,  luiff 
(love)  :  and  even  initially,  asffrawart  (insolent),  which, 
however,  was  the  ancient  way  of  capitalizing  the  letter. 

A  long  o  or  a,  followed  by  a  consonant,  is  sometimes 
lengthened  by  an  epenthetic  and  silent  I;  as  chalmir 
(chamber)  woilk  (woke).  The  combination  wh  is  repre- 
sented by  quh;  as  quheill  (wheel).  The  character  3, 
when  initial  represents  modern  g  or  y;  as  jeit  (yet) 
jett  (gate) ;  when  following  I  or  n,  a  liquid  sound 
analogous  to  the  French  I  mouille,  or  gne ;  as  faityie 
(Fr.  faillir),  ensen^e  (Fr.  enseigne). 

The  regular  vowel  equivalents  are  these  : 

Modern  English  ee  and  ea  are  represented  by  ei  or  ey, 
as  feit  (feet),  heyt  (heat). 

Modern  English  0  and  oa,  by  a  or  ai,  as  stane  (stone), 
hair  (boar). 

Modern  English  6  (=  u),  by  u,  as  cum  (come). 

Modern  English  00,  by  u  or  ui,  as  gude  (good),  buih 
(book). 

Modern  English  ow  (diphthongal),  by  ou,  as  toun 
(town). 

Modern  English  ow  (=  5),  by  aw,  as  snaw  (snow). 

Modern  English  ou  (=aw),  by  0,  as  bocht  (bought). 

The  possessive  case  and  plural  of  nouns  are  regularly 
formed  by  the  suffix  is  or  ys;  as  the  king  is  quair  (the 
king's  book),  by  bukis  and  bellis  (by  books  and  bells). 
This  was  sometimes  pronounced  as  a  separate  syllable, 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

and  sometimes  as  a  simple  s,  as  may  be  seen  from  these 
lines  of  Henry  son  : 

"Seis  thow  not  buddis  beiris  bernis  throw, 
And  giftis  garris  crukit  materis  hald  full  evin?" 
(Seest  thou  not  that  bribes  carry  men  through, 
And  gifts  make  crooked  matters  hold  full  straight?) 

when  the  metre  shows  that  the  second  line  is  to  be  read — 

"And  gifts  gars  crukit  maters  hald  full  evin." 

There  are  also  a  few  weak  plurals,  such  as  eyne  (eyes) ; 
mutation-plurals,  as  mys  (mice),  cy  (cows) ;  and  un- 
changed plurals,  as  hors,  scheip.  Childir  (children) 
and  brether  (brethren)  are  the  only  representatives  of 
their  class. 

The  pres.  pron.  of  the  2d  pers.  pi.  takes  ye,  je  in  the 
nominative,  and  yow,  $ow,  in  the  accusative  and  dative: 

"  I  trow  ye  haif  bene  tussillit  with  sum  tyke, 
That  garris  yow  ly  sa still" — 
(I  believe  you  have  been  worried  by  some  dog, 
That  makes  you  lie  so  still). 

The  pres.  ind.  of  the  verb  is  formed  thus : 
I  stand 

thou  standis        we,  ye,  thai     stand  or  standis1 
he  standis 

1  Stand  when  immediately  following  we,  ye,  thai,  standis  after 
other  words. 


INTRODUCTION.  0 

The  imperative  pi.  has  both  forms,  as  haffis  gude  day 
(have  good  day),  tak  ye  na  dout  (take  ye  no  fear). 

The  following  strong  preterits  in  our  texts  have  stem- 
vowels  different  from  those  in  modern  English : — 

Kest,  lap. 

buke,  forsuke,  fure,  leuche,  schuke,  stude,  swoir,  tuke, 
wesche,  wox  (woix). 

bare  (bure),  brak,  come,  schure,  spak,  stall. 

ete,  gaif. 

berst,  clam,  fand,  faucht,  fiang,  hang,  rong,  song, 
swang,  wan,  yald. 

baid  (bad),  draif,  grap,  raid  (rad),  raif,  rais,  straik 
(strak). 

flawe,  crap. 

Dawe  (dawn)  and  schawe  (show)  originally  weak, 
have  taken  the  strong  preterits  dewe  and  schewe. 

The  preterits  and  past  participles  of  weak  verbs 
regularly  end  in  it  or  yt,  as  assayit,  myssyt.  Contracted 
forms  like  bimeist  (burnished),/?/^  (defiled),  are  com- 
mon. Weak  preterits  with  vowel-change  follow  the 
general  analogies,  as  tald  (told),  socht  (sought). 

The  present  participle  regularly  ends  in  and,  and  is 
kept  distinct  from  the  verbal  noun  in  ing  or  yng ;  thus 
he  wes  cumand  (he  was  coming),  but  at  his  cumyng  (at 
his  coming). 

Phonetic  degradation  by  the  loss  of  consonants  is 
seen  even  in  Barbour,  who  has  ta,  ma,  mayss  for  tak, 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

male,  makis.     Other  instances,  such  as  lude  for  lufit 
(loved)  occur. 

The  old  English  pleonastic  form  with  gin  and  gan, 
as  "  Phoebus  gins  arise,"  is  replaced  in  early  Scottish 
by  can  and  couth;  as  "out  a  suerd  can  draw "  =  draws 
out  a  sword;  "undir  buskis  couth  thai  creip"  =  they 
crept  under  bushes.    Do  is  also  used  pleonastically,  as — 

"But  ony  spot  or  macull  doing  spring" — 
(Springing  without  any  spot  or  stain.) 

The  anomalous  form  begouth  (began)  seems  to  have 
arisen  from  an  analogy  with  couth  (could). 

The  preposition  to  occurs  in  the  forms  to  and  till,  the 
former  usually  before  a  consonant,  and  the  latter  before 
a  vowel  or  h;  e.  g. — 

"  I  will  appele  to  the  Pape,  and  pas  till  him  playne." 

Barbour,  however,  has  till  ded,  till  the  castell,  etc. 

A  somewhat  peculiar  idiom  is  the  substantive  use  of 
adjectives,  as  the  bald  (the  bold  one),  that  tenefull  (that 
wrathful  one),  etc.  Thus,  "  quhen  the  pur  present  him 
had,"  i.  e.  "  when  the  poor  creature  had  presented 
himself." 

The  vocabulary  shows  considerable  differences  from 
that  of  the  Midland  tongue.  Besides  many  peculiar 
indigenous  words,  there  are  a  number  from  the  Scan- 


INTRODUCTION.  1 1 

dinavian,  and  very  many  from  the  French,  which  were 
not  current  south  of  the  Tweed.  In  the  fifteenth  cen- 
tury there  grew  up  an  affectation  of  embellishing  the 
literary  language  with  Latinisms  like  preclair,  sempi- 
terne,  celicall. 

Versification. 

Most  of  the  following  extracts  are  in  Chaucer's 
metres,  lines  of  eight  or  ten  syllables,  with  the  stress 
falling  on  the  even  syllables.  Contrary  to  Chaucer's 
practice,  the  final  e  rarely  makes  a  syllable ;  and  the 
scribes  seem  to  have  added  or  dropped  this  e  very  arbi- 
trarily. James  I,  however,  who  was  a  close  imitator  of 
Chaucer,  follows,  in  the  main,  his  master's  use.  In  the 
Kingis  Quair  adjectives  following  the  definite  article, 
take  e,  as 

"  The  scharpe,  grene,  suete  ienepere  " — 

and  the  final  e  is  elided  in  pronunciation,  when  the  next 
word  begins  with  a  vowel.  But  in  nearly  all  this  poe- 
try, the  ear  is  the  only  guide  to  the  pronunciation  of 
the  final  e. 

But  beside  the  Chaucerian  verse,  another  form  is  rep- 
resented in  these  extracts,  and  that  is  the  ancient  four- 
stressed  alliterative  verse,  with  an  indefinite  number  of 
unstressed  syllables.  Dunbar  uses  it  without  rime  in 
his  Twa  Mariit  Wemen,  frequently  adding  a  fifth 
stressed  syllable : — 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

/  /  /  /  „  '    ,- 

"  I  drew  in  deme  to  the  dyk  to  dirkm  eftir  myrthis, 

/       /  /  /  7.   „ 

The  dew  donkit  the  daill,  and  dynant  the  fouhs." 

In  The  Hoivlat,  Rauf  Coityar  and  Kynd  Kittok,  we 
have  the  two  principles  combined  in  a  very  peculiar 
stanza,  which  King  James  VI,  in  his  Reulis  and  Cau- 
telis,  calls  "  tumbling  verse." 


JOHN    BARBOUR. 


John  Barbour,  born  in  Aberdeenshire  about  1320,  was  Archdeacon  of 
Aberdeen,  and  held  various  honorable  offices,  dying  about  1395.  His  vers- 
ified Chronicle,  The  Bruce,  is  the  earliest  poem  in  the  Scottish  tongue  that 
has  come  down  to  us.  He  is  believed  to  have  been  the  author  of  a  legend- 
ary account  of  the  ancient  Scottish  Kings,  called  The  Brut,  which  is  lost, 
and  some  have  attributed  to  him  a  collection  of  Legends  of  Saints,  still 
extant. 


Praise  of  Freedom. 

Alas !  that  folk  that  euir  wes  fre, 

And  in  fredome  wount  for  to  be, 

Throw  thar  gret  myschance  and  foly, 

War  tretyt  than  sa  wykkytly, 

That  thar  fays  thar  iugis  war ;  5 

Quhat  wrechitnes  may  man  have  mar  ? 

A !  fredome  is  a  noble  thing ! 
Fredome  mayss  man  to  haiff  liking ; 
Fredome  all  solace  to  man  giftis, 
He  levys  at  ess  that  frely  levys !  10 

A  noble  hart  may  haiff  nane  ess, 
Na  ellys  nocht  that  may  him  pless, 
Gyff  fredome  fail^he ;  for  fre  liking 
Is  sharnyt  our  all  othir  thing. 
Na  he  that  ay  hass  levyt  fre,  15 

May  nocht  knaw  weill  the  propyrte, 
The  angyr,  na  the  wrechyt  dome 
That  is  cowplyt  to  foule  thyrldome. 

13 


14  JOHN    BARBOUR. 

Bot  gyff  he  had  assayit  it, 
Than  all  perquer  he  suld  it  wyt,  20 

And  snld  think  fredonie  mar  to  pryss 
Than  all  the  gold  in  warld  that  is. 


Battle  of  Bannockbum. 

In  this  tyme  that  I  tell  of  her, 

That  the  battall  on  this  maner 

Wes  strikin,  quhar  on  athir  party 

Thai  war  fechtand  richt  manfully, 

^hemen,  swanys,  and  poveraill,  5 

That  in  the  pare  to  ^heyme  vittale 

War  left ;  quhen  thai  wist,  but  lesing, 

That  thair  lordis  with  fell  fichtyng 

On  thair  fais  assemblit  war, 

Ane  of  them-selwyne  that  was  thar  10 

Capitane  of  thame  all  thai  maid  ; 

And  schetis  that  war  sum-deill  braid 

Thai  festnyt  in  steid  of  baneris 

Apon  lang  treis  and  on  speris, 

And  said  that  thai  wald  se  the  ficht,  15 

And  help  thar  lordis  at  thar  mycht. 

Quhen  her-till  all  assentit  war, 

And  in  a  rowt  assemblit  ar, 

XV  thousand  thai  war  and  ma. 

And  than  in  gret  hy  thai  can  ga  20 

With  thair  baneris  all  in  a  rout, 

As  thai  had  men  beyn  stith  and  stout. 

Thai  com  with  all  that  assemble 


JOHN   BARBOUR.  15 

Richt  quhill  thai  mycht  the  battale  se. 

Than  all  at  anys  thai  gaf  ane  cry —  25 

"  Apon  thame !  on  thame  hardely ! " 

And  thar-with-all  cuniand  ar  thai. 

Bot  thai  war  ^eit  weill  fer  avay, 

And  Yngliss  men,  that  ruschit  war 

Throu  forss  of  ficht,  as  I  said  air,  30 

Quhen  thai  saw  cum  with  sic  a  cry 

Toward  thame  sic  ane  cumpany, 

That  thai  thoucht  weill  als  mony  war 

As  at  war  fechtand  with  thame  thai', 

And  thai  befor  had  thame  nocht  seyne,  35 

Than,  wit  }he  weill,  withouten  weyne, 

Thai  war  abasit  so  gretumly, 

That  the  best,  and  the  mast  hardy 

That  wes  in-till  the  oost  that  day 

Wald,  with  thar  mensk,  haue  beyn  avay,       40 

The  King  Robert  be  thair  relyng, 

Saw  thai  war  neir  discomfyting, 

And  his  ensen^e  can  hely  cry. 

Than  with  thame  of  his  cumpany 

His  fais  presit  so  fast,  that  thai  45 

War  than  in-till  sa  gret  effray, 

That  thai  left  place  ay  mar  and  mar. 

For  all  the  Scottis  men  that  war  thar, 

Quhen  thai  saw  thame  eschew  the  ficht, 

Dang  on  thame  swa  with  all  thar  mycht,         50 

That  thai  scalit  in  tropellis  ser, 

And  till  discumfitur  war  ner  ; 

And  sum  of  thame  fled  all  planly. 

But  thai  that  wicht  war  and  hardy, 

That  scharne  letit  till  ta  the  flicht,  55 


00 


16  JOHN    BARBOUR. 

At  gret  myschef  mantemyt  the  ficht, 

And  stithly  in  the  stour  can  stand. 

And  quhen  the  King  of  Ingland 

Saw  his  men  fle  in  syndry  place, 

And  saw  his  fais  rout,  that  was 

Worthyn  so  wicht  and  so  hardy, 

That  all  his  folk  war  halely 

Swa  stonayit  that  thai  had  no  mycht 

To  sty nt  thair  fais  in  the  ficht, 

He  was  abasit  so  gretumly  (ir> 

That  he  and  all  his  cumpany, 

V  hundreth  armyt  weill  at  rycht, 

In-till  a  frusche  all  tuk  the  flycht, 

And  till  the  castell  held  ther  way. 

And  3eit,  as  I  herd  sum  men  say,  70 

That  of  Wallanch  Schir  Amer 

Quhen  he  the  feld  saw  vencust  ner, 

By  the  ren}e  led  avay  the  king, 

Agane  his  will  fra  the  fichting. 

And  quhen  Schir  Gelis  de  Argente  75 

Saw  the  king  thus  and  his  men^e 

Schape  thame  to  fle  so  spedely, 

He  com  richt  to  the  kyng  in  hy 

And  said,  "  Schir,  sen  that  it  is  swa 

That  }e  thusgat  }our  gat  will  ga,  80 

Hafiis  gud  day !  for  againe  will  I. 

}heit  fled  I  neuir,  sekirly, 

And  I  cheiss  heir  to  byde  and  de 

Than  till  lif  heir  and  schamfully  fle." 

His  brydill  than,  but  mair  abaid,  85 

He  turnyt,  and  agane  he  raid, 

And  on  Schir  Eduard  the  Brysis  rout 


JOHN    BARBOUR.  17 

That  wes  so  sturdy  and  so  stout, 

As  dreid  of  nakyn  thing  had  he, 

He  prikit,  cryand  "  Argente  ! "  90 

And  thai  with  speris  swa  him  met, 

And  swa  feill  speris  on  hym  set, 

That  he  and  horss  war  chargit  swa 

That  bath  doune  to  the  erd  can  ga  ; 

And  in  that  place  than  slayne  wes  he.  95 

Of  his  ded  wes  rycht  gret  pite ; 

He  wes  the  thrid  best  knycht,  perfay, 

That  men  wist  liffand  in  his  day  ; 

And  did  mony  a  fair  iourne. 

On  Sarisenis  thre  deren^eis  did  he,  100 

And  in-till  ilk  deren^e  of  thai 

He  vencust  Sarisenis  twa ; 

His  gret  worschip  tuk  thar  ending. 

And  fra  Schir  Amer  with  the  kyng 

Wes  fled,  wes  nane  that  durst  abyde,  105 

Bot  fled,  scalit  on  ilka  syde. 

And  thair  fais  thame  presit  fast, 

Thai  war,  to  say  suth,  all  agast, 

And  fled  swa  richt  effrayitly 

That  of  thame  a  full  gret  party  110 

Fled  to  the  wattir  of  Forth,  and  thar 

The  mast  part  of  thame  drownit  war. 

And  Bannokburn,  betuix  the  braiss, 

Of  horss  and  men  so  chargit  wass, 

That  apon  drownit  horss  and  men  115 

Men  mycht  pass  dry  atour  it  then. 

And  laddis,  swanys,  and  rangall, 

Quhen  thai  saw  vencust  the  battall, 

Ran  emang  thame,  and  swa  can  sla 

2 


18  JOHN    BARBOUR. 

Thai  folk  that  no  defens  mycht  ma,  120 

That  it  war  pite  for  to  se. 

I  herd  neuir  quhar,  in  na  cuntre, 

Folk  at  swa  gret  myschef  war  stad  ; 

On  a  syde  thai  thair  fais  had, 

That  slew  thame  doune  vithout  mercy,  125 

And  thai  had  on  the  tothir  party 

Bannokburne,  that  sa  cummyrsum  was 

Of  slyk,  and  depnes  for  till  pas, 

That  thair  mycht  nane  atour  it  ryde. 

Thame  worthit,  magre  thairis,  abyde  ;  130 

Swa  that  sum  slayne,  sura  drownit  war ; 

Micht  nane  eschap  that  euir  com  thar. 


Siege  of  Berwick. 

Quhen  thir  folk  thus  discumfit  was 

And  Scottis  men  had  left  the  chass, 

Thai  went  thame  furthwarde  in  the  land, 

Slayand,  distroyand,  and  byrnand. 

And  thai  that  at  the  sege  lay,  5 

Or  it  wes  passit  the  fift  day, 

Had  maid  thame  syndry  apparale 

To  gang  eftsonis  till  assale. 

Of  gret  gestis  ane  sow  thai  maid, 

That  stalward  heling  owth  it  had,  10 

With  armyt  men  enew  thar-in, 

And  instrumentis  als  for  to  inyne. 

Syndry  scaffatis  thai  maid  vith-all 

That  war  weill  hyar  than  the  wall, 


JOHN   BARBOUR.  19 

And  ordanit  als  that  by  the  se  15 

The  toune  suld  weill  assal^eit  be. 

And  thai  vithin,  that  saw  thame  swa 

So  gret  apparale  schap  till  ma, 

Throu  Crabbis  consale,  that  ves  sle, 

Ane  cren  thai  haf  gert  dress  vp  hey  20 

Rynand  on  quhelis  that  thai  mycht  bring 

It  quhar  neid  war  of  mast  helping. 

And  pik  and  ter  als  haf  thai  tane, 

And  lynt  and  hardiss  with  brynstane, 

And  dry  treis  that  weill  wald  brin,  25 

And  mellit  syne  athir  othir  in  ; 

And  gret  flaggatis  tharof  thai  maid, 

Gyrdit  with  irne  bandis  braid  ; 

Of  thai  flaggatis  mycht  mesurit  be 

Till  a  gret  tunnys  quantite.  30 

Thai  flaggatis  byrnand  in  a  baill 

With  thair  cren  thoucht  thai  till  availl, 

And  gif  the  sow  come  to  the  wall, 

Till  lat  thame  byrnand  on  hir  fall, 

And  with  ane  stark  cheyne  hald  thame  thar       35 

Quhill  all  war  brint  vp  that  thar  war. 

Engynys  alsua  for  till  cast 

Thai  ordanit  and  maid  redy  fast, 

And  set  ilk  man  syne  till  his  ward. 

And  Schir  Valter,  the  gude  Steward,  40 

With  armyt  men  suld  ryde  about, 

And  se  quhar  at  thar  var  mast  dout, 

And  succur  thar  with  his  men^he. 

And  quhen  thai  into  sic  degre 

Had  maid  thame  for  thair  assaling,        .  45 

On  the  Rude-evyn,  in  the  dawing, 


50 


60 


20  JOHN    BARBOUR. 

The  Ingliss  host  blew  till  assale. 

Than  mycht  men  with  ser  apparale 

Se  that  gret  host  cum  sturdely  ; 

The  toune  enverounyt  thai  in  hy, 

And  assalit  with  sa'  gud  will — 

For  all  thair  mycht  thai  set  thar-till — 

That  thai  thame  pressit  fast  of  the  toune. 

Bot  thai  that  can  thame  abandoune 

Till  ded,  or  than  till  woundis  sare,  55 

So  weill  has  thame  defendit  thare, 

That  ledderis  to  the  ground  thai  flang, 

And  vith  stanys  so  fast  thai  dang 

Thair  fais,  that  feill  thai  left  lyand, 

Sum  ded,  sum  hurt,  and  sum  swounand. 

Bot  thai  that  held  on  fut,  in  hy 

Drew  thame  avay  deliuerly, 

And  skunnyrit  tharfor  na-kyn  thing, 

Bot  went  stoutly  till  assalyng. 

And  thai  abovin  defendit  ay,  65 

And  set  thame  till  so  harde  assay, 

Quhill  that  feill  of  thame  voundit  war, 

And  thai  so  gret  defens  maid  thar, 

That  thai  styntit  thair  fais  mycht. 

Apon  sic  maner  can  thai  ficht  70 

Quhill  it  wes  neir  noyne  of  the  day  ; 

Than  thai  without,  in  gret  aray, 

Pressit  thair  sow  toward  the  wall ; 

And  thai  within  weill  soyne  gert  call 

The  engynour  that  takyne  was,  75 

And  gret  manans  till  him  mais, 

And  swoir  that  he  suld  de,  bot  he 

Provit  on  the  sow  sic  sutelte, 


JOHN    BARBOUR.  21 

That  he  to-fruschyt  hir  ilke  deill. 

And  he,  that  has  persauit  weill  80 

That  the  dede  wes  weill  neir  hym  till, 

Bot  gif  he  mycht  fulfill  thar  will, 

Thoucht  that  he  all  his  mycht  vald  do  ; 

Bendit  in  gret  hy  than  was  scho, 

And  till  the  sow  wes  evin  set.  85 

In  hye  he  gert  draw  the  cleket, 

And  smertly  swappit  out  the  stane, 

That  evyn  out-our  the  sow  is  gane, 

And  behynd  hir  a  litill  we 

It  fell,  and  than  thai  cryit  hey  90 

That  war  in  hir :  "  furth  to  the  wall ! 

For  dreidles  it  is  ouris  all." 

The  engynour  than  deliuerly 

Gert  bend  the  gyne  in  full  gret  hy, 

And  the  stane  smertly  swappit  out.  95 

It  flaw  out,  quhedirand,  with  a  rout, 

And  fell  richt  evin  befor  the  sow. 

Thair  hertis  than  begouth  till  grow ; 

Bot  ^eit  than  with  thair  myelitis  all, 

Thai  pressit  the  sow  toward  the  wall,  100 

And  hass  hir  set  tharto  justly. 

The  gynour  than  gert  bend  in  hy 

The  gyne,  and  swappit  out  the  stane, 

That  evin  toward  the  lift  is  gane, 

And  with  gret  wecht  syne  duschit  doune  105 

Richt  by  the  wall,  in  a  randonne, 

And  hyt  the  sow  in  sic  maner, 

That  it  that  wes  the  mast  summer, 

And  starkast  for  till  stynt  a  strak, 

In-swndir  with  that  dusche  he  brak.  110 


22  ANDROW   OF   WYNTOUN. 

The  men  ran  out  in  full  gret  hy, 

And  on  the  wallis  thai  can  cry, 

That  thair  sowferryit  wes  thair! 

Iohne  Crab,  that  had  his  geir  all  Jar, 

In  his  fagatis  hass  set  the  fyre,  115 

And  our  the  wall  syne  can  thame  wyre, 

And  brynt  the  sow  till  brandis  bair. 

The  Bruce,  I,  219-240. 

X1IJ,  225-356. 
XVII,  589-705. 


ANDROW  OF  WYNTOUN. 


Thu  dittos  of  Wyntouii's  birth  and  death  arc  not  certainly  known.     Prom 
internal  evidence,  his  Chronicle  seems  to  have  been  finished  before  1424,  as 

he  dues  not  mention  the  release  and  return  of  James  1.  in  that  year,     lie 
was  a  Regular  Canon  of  St.  Andrew's,  and  Trior  of  St.  Serf's  in  Loch  l.evcn. 


The  Man  Bom  to  be  King. 

An  erle  than  was  nere  hym  by, 
That  slwe  a  man  in  hys  felny, 
And  for  that  payne,  as  hym  behowyd, 
Prevely  he  hym  removyde 
Till  a  forest  nere  thare-by  ; 
And  for  till  lyve  thare  qwyetly 
Wyth  his  wyff  on  his  tresore, 
That  he  had  gaddryd  lang  before, 


ANDROW   OF    WYNTOUN.  23 

A  maner  plas  thar  byggyd  he 

For  hym,  hys  wyff,  and  hys  men^he.  10 

The  Empryoure  than  on  a  day 
Rad  in  huntyng  hym  to  play, 
And  trawelyd  sa  lang  in  that  forast 
In  gamyn,  quhill  all  that  day  oure  past, 
And  the  myrk  nycht  al  suddanly  15 

Hym  partyd  fra  his  cumpany. 
And  in  that  myrk  nycht  wawerand  will, 
He  hapnyd  off  cas  for  to  cum  till 
That  ilke  new  byggyd  plas 

Quhare  that  erle  than  dwelland  was.  20 

Thare  he  ressayvyd  that  Empryowre 
Wyth  gret  reverens  and  honowre, 
And  herbryd  hym  all  that  nycht, 
Quhill  on  the  morne  that  day  wes  lycht. 
That  ilke  nycht,  as  hapnyd  thare,  25 

The  erlys  awyn  wyffe  wes  lychtare 
Off  a  knawe  barne  befor  day. 
The  Empryowre  than,  quhare  he  lay, 
Herd  a  woce  twys  or  thrys 

Oppynly  sayand  on  this  wys : —  30 

"  This  chyld  now  borne,  Empryowre 
Shall  be,  and  nest  successoure 
Till  this  Conrade,  that  is  syre 
And  lord  now  all  hale  off  the  Empyre." 

Fra  this  the  Empryoure  had  herd,  35 

In  till  hys  thoucht  he  wes  afferde ; 
And  on  the  morne  rycht  ayrly, 
Quhen  till  hym  come  hys  cumpany, 
Twa  men  he  bad  in  prewete 
To  wayt  ane  oportunyte,  40 


24  ANDROW   OF   WYNTODN. 

And  steyle  that  barne,  and  wyth  it  ga 

To  the  wode,  and  thare  it  sla ; 

And  the  hart  syne  till  hym  bryng, 

That  he  raycht  wyt  be  that  taknyng 

That  the  barne  all  dede  suld  be,  45 

And  swa  ware  brokyn  destyne. 

The  twa  men  the  chyld  tuke  sone, 
The  Empryowris  byddyng  for  till  have  done  ; 
Bot  pyte  swa  movyd  thare  thoucht, 
That  byddyng  thai  fulfillyd  nowcht,  50 

Bot  in  thare  gamyn  thai  slwe  a  hare  : 
The  hart  off  it  thai  wyth  thame  bare, 
And  gave  it  to  this  Schyre  Conrad, 
And  sayd  thai  dyd  as  he  thame  bad : 
That  wes,  that  thai  slwe  the  child,  55 

And  lefft  hym  in  that  forast  wild. 

It  hapnyd  a  duk  to  cum  rydand 
Quhare  that  that  child  wes  qwyk  lyand : 
That  chyld  he  tuk,  and  bare  it  hame, 
And  till  his  wyf  than  sayd  he,  "  Dame,  60 

Bring  up  this  barne  now,  I  pray  the, 
For  he  may  hapnyn  owre  ayre  to  be, 
Syne  we  ar  lyk  na  barne  till  hawe, 
Nothir  madyn  child,  na  knawe." 

The  barne  scho  tuk  than  blythly,  65 

And  browcht  hym  up  rycht  tendyrly. 

Lang  efftyre  this,  in  pylgrinage 
This  ilke  Empryoure  hys  wayage 
Tuk,  and  in  till  his  way 

Wyth  this  duk  he  ete  a  day.  70 

Before  the  burde  than  standand  thare 
The  dukis  brede  this  childe  than  schare, 


ANDEOW   OF   WYNTOUN.  25 

For  he  wes  yhowng  and  avenand, 

And  till  all  lordis  rycht  plesand. 

Be  sura  consayt  yhit  than  agayne  75 

The  Empryowre  wald  he  had  bene  slayne. 

Than  to  that  duk  in  prewete 

He  sayd  ane  errand  gret  had  he 

For^het,  that  the  Empryce 

Behowyde  to  do  on  onywys ;  80 

Quharefore  he  made  hym  than  prayere 

That  that  chyld  inycht  a  lettyr  bere 

Til  hys  wyff  in  prewyte. 

The  duk  hym  lewyd,  and  than  he 

Wrat  in  that  lettyr  on  this  wys,  85 

Be  strayt  byddyng  the  Emprys 

Scho  suld  ger  that  chyld  be  put  to  ded 

But  ony  maner  off  reined. 

Gyff  scho  had  gert  that  lettyr  rede, 

Thir  wordis  thare  war  wryttyne  in  dede  : —        90 

"  Visa  litera,  lator  illius  morte  moriatur." 
Quhen  this  child  thus  lewyd  was, 
He  buskyd  hym  hys  way  to  pas, 
And  wyst  rycht  noucht  of  this  perylle. 
Bot  it  hapnyd  in  that  qwhille,  95 

Wyth  a  prest  in  till  his  way 
He  ete,  and  bad  wyth  hym  a  day. 
And  as  he  wes  than  thare  slepand, 
A  fayre  purs  he  had  hyngand. 
The  prest  that  purs  openyd  swne,  100 

And  fand  in  it  that  lettyr  dwne, 
That  he  opnyd,  and  red  the  payne 
The  berere  off  it  for  to  be  slayne. 
That  lettyr  away  than  pwte  he  qwyte, 


26  ANDROW    OF    WYNTOUN. 

And  sone  ane  othir  than  couth  he  wryte,  105 

As  send  fra  the  Empryowre 
To  the  Empryce  wyth  honowre. 
Sayan d : 

"Visa  litera,filia  mea  latori  tradatar." 
"  This  lettyr  sene,  ray  dochtyre  dere 
Sone  thow  spows  wyth  the  herere."  110 

He  closyd  this  lettyr  curywsly, 
And  in  the  purs  all  prewely 
He  pwt  it,  quhare  the  tothir  was. 

The  child  fra  slepe  thare-efftyr  ras ; 
Off  all  this  dede  wyst  he  rycht  noucht,  115 

Bot  on  his  trawale  set  hys  thoucht, 
And  on  his  way  age  furth  he  past. 
To  the  Emprys  at  the  last 
He  come, "and  present  wyth  honowre 
That  lettyr,  fra  the  Empryowre,  120 

He  sayd  wes  send  ;  and  honestly 
Scho  hym  resayvyd,  and  hasty ly 
That  lettyr  scho  gert  till  hyre  rede. 
And  efftyr  that  rycht  sone  in  dede 
Scho  gave  to  that  child  hyr  dochtyr  fayre         125 
Till  hys  wyff,  syne  scho  wes  ayre 
Till  hyr  lorde  the  Empryowre, 
As  off  that  lettyr  the  tenowre 
Bad,  that  al  swa  suld  be  done. 

The  Empryowre  thare-efftyr  sone  130 

Hapnyd  to  cum  hame  suddenly. 
The  child  remowed  hym  prewely, 
Quhill  that  he  mycht  here  or  se 
Gyff  that  all  mycht  sykkyre  be. 
The  Empryowre  thare-efftyre  sone  135 


ANDROW   OF   WYNTOUN.  27 

Speryd,  how  that  scho  had  done 

Off  the  lettyr  that  he  hyr  send. 

Than  tald  scho  hym  fra  end  till  end  ; 

And  sayd  scho  had  fullfillyd  welle 

All  hys  byddyng  ilka  delle.  140 

And  fra  he  herd  that  this  wes  done 

He  trowyde  he  wes  the  dukys  sone, 

He  held  hym  payit  off  that  spowsall, 

And  gave  that  child  full  governale 

Off  hys  land  wyth  hys  dochtyr  fayre.  145 

Destyne  swa  mad  hym  ayre 

Till  Conrade  this  Empryoure, 

And  tyll  hym  hys  neyst  successoure. 

Orygynale  Cronykil  of  Scotland,  VI,  1185-1332. 


28  KING   JAMES   I. 


KING  JAMES  I. 


James  I.,  son  of  Robert  III.,  and  great-grandson  of  Robert  Bruce,  was 
born  in  1394.  On  the  tragical  death  of  his  elder  brother,  the  Duke  of 
Rothesay,  James,  then  about  eleven  years  old,  was  sent  for  safety  to 
France;  but  the  ship  which  bore  him  was  taken  by  the  English,  and  the 
young  prince  held  as  a  prisoner  by  Henry  IV.  That  politic  sovereign, 
however,  treated  him  rather  as  a  friendly  hostage  than  as  a  captive:  the 
prince  was  educated  in  all  knightly  accomplishments,  and  accompanied 
Henry  V.  on  his  campaign  in  France.  James  was  devoted  to  letters,  and 
an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  Chaucer.  During  bis  captivity  he  became  en- 
amored of  Lady  Jane  Beaufort,  niece  of  Henry  IV.  ;  and  the  rise  of  this 
passion  is  allegoric-ally  described  in  his  Kingis  Quair,  or  "King's  Book." 
James  was  released  in  1424,  married  Lady  Jane,  and  at  once  returned  to 
Scotland  and  was  crowned.  His  severity  in  repressing  t lie  lawlessness  of 
his  turbulent  and  rapacious  barons,  raised  up  a  conspiracy  against  him, 
and  on  the  night  of  February  20,  1437,  he  was  assassinated  by  a  band  of 
ruffians  in  the  Black  Friars'  monastery  at  Perth.  One  or  two  smaller 
pieces,  beside  The  Kingis  Quair,  are  attributed  to  James. 


First  Sight  of  his  Lady. 

Bewailing  in  my  chamber  thus  allone, 
Despeirid  of  all  ioye  and  remedye, 

For-tirit  of  my  thoght,  and  wo  begone, 
Unto  the  wyndow  gan  I  walk  in  hye, 
To  se  the  warld  and  folk  that  went  forby ; 

As  for  the  tyme,  though  I  of  mirthis  fude 

Myght  haue  no  more,  to  luke  it  did  me  gude. 

Now  was  there  maid  fast  by  the  touris  wall 
A  gardyn  faire,  and  in  the  corneris  set 


KING   JAMES   I. 


29 


Ane  herbere  grene,  with  wandis  long  and  small         10 
Railit  about ;  and  so  with  treis  set 
Was  all  the  place,  and  hawthorn  hegis  knet, 
That  lyf  was  non  walking  there  forby, 
That  myght  within  scarse  ony  wight  aspye. 

So  thik  the  bewis  and  the  leues  grene  15 

Beschadit  all  the  aleyes  that  there  were, 

And  myddis  euery  herbere  myght  be  sene 
The  scharpe  grene  suete  ienepere, 
Growing  so  faire  with  branchis  here  and  there, 

That,  as  it  semyt  to  a  lyf  without,  20 

The  bewis  spred  the  herbere  all  about. 

And  on  the  smalle  grene  twistis  sat 
The  lytill  suete  nyghtingale,  and  song 

So  loud  and  clere  the  ympnis  consecrat 

Off  lufis  vse,  now  soft,  now  lowd  among,  25 

That  all  the  gardyng  and  the  wallis  rong 

Ryght  of  thaire  song,  and  on  the  copill  next 

Of  thaire  suete  armony,  and  lo  the  text : 

CANTUS. 

"  Worschippe,  }e  that  loueris  bene,  this  may,  30 

For  of  }our  blisse  the  kalendis  are  begonne, 

And  sing  with  vs,  away,  winter  away ! 

Cum,  somer,  cum,  the  suete  sesoun  and  sonne ! 
Awake  for  schame !  that  have  }our  hevynnis  wonne, 

And  amorously  lift  up  }our  hedis  all,  35 

Thank  lufe  that  list  30U  to  his  merci  call." 


30  KING   JAMES   I. 

Quhen  thai  this  song  had  song  a  lytill  thrawe, 
Thai  stent  a  quhile,  and  therewith  vnaffraid, 

As  I  beheld  and  kest  inyn  eyne  adawe, 

From  beugh  to  beugh  thay  hippit  and  thai  plaid,  40 
And  freschly,  in  thaire  birdis  kynd,  arraid 

Thaire  fetheris  new,  and  fret  tharae  in  the  Sonne, 

And  thankit  lufe,  that  had  thaire  makis  wonne. 

This  was  the  plane  ditee  of  thaire  note, 

And  there-with-all  vnto  my-self  I  thoght  45 

"  Quhat  lyf  is  this  that  makis  birdis  dote  ? 

Quhat  may  this  be,  how  cummyth  it  of  ought  ? 

Quhat  nedith  it  to  be  so  dere  ybought  ? 
It  is  nothing,  trowe  I,  bot  feynit  chere, 
And  that  men  list  to  counterfeten  chere."  50 

Eft  wald  I  think,  "  O  lord,  quhat  may  this  be  ? 

That  lufe  is  of  so  noble  myght  and  kynde, 
Lufing  his  folk,  and  suich  prosperitee 

Is  it  of  him,  as  we  in  bukis  fynd  ? 

May  he  oure  hertes  setten  and  vnbynd  ?  55 

Hath  he  vpon  oure  hertis  suich  maistrye  ? 
Or  all  this  is  bot  feyny t  fantasye  ? 

"  For  gif  he  be  of  so  grete  excellence 

That  he  of  euery  wight  hath  cure  and  charge, 

Quhat  have  I  gilt  to  him  or  doon  offense,  60 

That  I  am  thrall,  and  asd  birdis  gone  at  large, 
Sen  him  to  serue  he  myght  set  my  corage? 

And  gif  he  be  noght  so,  than  may  I  seyne 

Quhat  makis  folk  to  iangill  of  him  in  veyne  ? 


KING   JAMES   I.  31 

"  Can  I  noght  elles  fynd,  bot  gif  that  he  65 

Be  lord,  and  as  a  god  may  lyue  and  regne, 

To  bynd  and  louse,  and  maken  thrallis  free, 
Than  wold  I  pray  his  blisfull  grace  benigne 
To  hable  me  vnto  his  seruice  digne  ; 

And  euermore  for  to  be  one  of  tho  70 

Him  trewly  for  to  serue  in  wele  and  wo." 

And  there-with  kest  I  doun  myn  eye  ageyne 
Quhare  as  I  sawe,  walking  vnder  the  toure, 

Full  secretly  new  cummyn  hir  to  pleyne, 

The  fairest  or  the  freschest  3onge  floure  75 

That  euer  I  sawe,  me  thoght,  before  that  houre, 

For  quhich  sodayn  abate  anon  astert 

The  blude  of  all  my  body  to  my  hert. 

And  though  I  stude  abaisit  tho  a  lyte, 

No  wonder  was ;  for-quhy  my  wittis  all  80 

Were  so  ouercom  with  plesance  and  delyte 
Onely  throu  latting  of  myn  eyen  fall, 
That  sudaynly  my  hert  became  hir  thrall 

For  euer,  of  free  wyll ;  for  of  manace 

There  was  no  takyn  in  hir  suete  face.  85 

And  in  my  hede  I  drewe  ryght  hastily, 

And  eft-sones  I  lent  it  forth  ageyne, 
And  sawe  hir  walk,  that  verray  womanly, 

With  no  wight  mo,  bot  onely  wommen  tueyne. 

Then  gan  I  studye  in  my-self,  and  seyne  90 

"  A !  suete,  ar  }e  a  warldly  creature, 
Or  hevinly  thing  in  liknesse  of  nature  ? 


32  KING   JAMES   I. 

"  Or  are  ^e  god  Cupidis  owin  princesse, 
And  cummyn  ar  to  louse  me  out  of  band? 

Or  are  ^e  verray  Nature  the  goddesse,  95 

That  have  depaynted  with  3our  hevinly  hand 
This  gardyn  full  of  flouris  as  they  stand? 

Quhat  sail  I  think,  allace !  quhat  reuerence 

Sail  I  minister  to  ^our  excellence? 

"  Gif  3e  a  goddesse  be,  and  that  }e  like  100 

To  do  me  payne,  I  may  it  noght  astert ; 

Gif  }e  be  warldly  wight  that  dooth  me  sike, 
Quhy  lest  God  mak  3011  so,  my  derrest  hert, 
To  do  a  sely  prisoner  thus  smert, 

That  lufis  pw  all,  and  wot  of  noght  bot  wo?  105 

And  therefore  merci,  suete !  sen  it  is  so." 

Quhen  I  a  lytill  thrawe  had  maid  my  moon, 
Bewailling  myn  infortune  and  my  chance, 

Vnknawin  how  or  quhat  was  best  to  doon, 

So  ferre  i-fallyng  into  lufis  dance,  110 

That  sodeynly  my  wit,  my  contenance, 

My  hert,  my  will,  my  nature,  and  my  mynd, 

Was  changit  clene  ryght  in  an-othir  kynd. 

Off  hir  array  the  form  gif  I  sail  write, 

Toward  hir  goldin  haire  and  rich  atyre  115 

In  fret- wise  couchit  was  with  perllis  quhyte, 
And  grete  balas  lemyng  as  the  fyre, 
With  mony  ane  emeraut  and  faire  saphire ; 

And  on  hir  hede  a  chaplet  fresch  of  hewe, 

Off  plumys  partit  rede,  and  quhite  and  blewe;         120 


KING  JAMES   I.  33 

Full  of  quaking  spangis  bryght  as  gold, 
Forgit  of  schap  like  to  the  amorettis, 

So  new,  so  fresch,  so  plesant  to  behold, 
The  plumys  eke  like  to  the  floure-ionettis, 
And  othir  of  schap  like  to  the  [violettis]  125 

And,  aboue  all  this,  there  was,  wele  I  wote, 

Beautee  eneuch  to  mak  a  world  to  dote. 

About  hir  neck,  quhite  as  the  fyre  amaile, 

A  gudely  cheyne  of  srnale  orfeuerye, 
Quhareby  there  hang  a  ruby  without  faille  130 

Lyke  to  ane  herte  schapin  verily, 

That,  as  a  sperk  of  lowe,  so  wantonly 
Semyt  birnyng  vpon  hir  quhyte  throte  ; 
Now  gif  there  was  gud  partye,  God  it  wote ! 

And  forto  walk  that  fresche  mayes  morowe,  135 

An  huke  sche  had  vpon  hir  tissew  quhite, 

That  gudeliare  had  noght  bene  sene  to-forowe 
As  I  suppose ;  and  girt  sche  was  a  lyte ; 
Thus  halflyng  louse  for  haste,  to  suich  delyte 

It  was  to  see  her  ^outh  in  gudelihede,  140 

That  for  rudenes  to  speke  thereof  I  drede. 

In  hir  was  }outh,  beautee,  with  humble  aport, 
Bountee,  richesse,  and  wonimanly  facture, 

God  better  wote  than  my  pen  can  report : 

Wisedome,  largesse,  estate,  and  connyng  sure       145 
In  euery  point  so  guydit  hir  mesure, 

In  word,  in  dede,  in  schap,  in  contenance, 

That  nature  myght  no  more  hir  childe  auance. 

3 


34  KING   JAMES   I. 


The  Palace  of  Venus. 

Me  thoght  that  thus  all  sodeynly  a  lyght 
In  at  the  wyndow  come  quhare  that  I  lent, 

Offquhich  the  chambere  wyndow  schone  full  bryght, 
And  all  my  body  so  it  hath  ouerwent, 
That  of  my  sicht  the  vertew  hale  iblent ;  5 

And  that  with  all  a  voce  vnto  me  saide, 

"  I  bring  the  comfort  and  hele,  be  noght  affrayde." 

And  furth  anone  it  passit  sodeynly, 

Quher  it  come  in,  the  ryghte  way  ageyne, 

And  sone,  me  thoght,  furth  at  the  dure  in  hye  10 

I  went  my  weye,  nas  nothing  me  ageyne ; 
And  hastily,  by  both  the  armes  tueyne, 

I  was  araisit  vp  in  to  the  aire, 

Clippit  in  a  cloude  of  cristall  clere  and  faire. 

Ascending  vpward  ay  fro  spere  to  spere,  15 

Through  aire  and  watere  and  the  bote  fyre, 

Till  that  I  come  vnto  the  circle  clere 

Off'  Signifere,  quhare  faire,  bryght  and  schire 
The  signis  schone ;  and  in  the  glade  empire 

Off  blisfull  Venus,  quhar  ane  cryit  now  20 

So  sodaynly,  almost  I  wist  noght  how. 

Off  quhich  the  place,  when  as  I  come  there  nye, 
Was  all,  me  thoght,  of  cristall  stonis  wroght, 

And  to  the  port  I  liftit  was  in  hye, 

Quhare  sodaynly,  as  quho  sais  at  a  thoght,  25 

It  opnyt,  and  I  was  anon  in  broght 


KING   JAMES   I.  35 

Within  a  chamber,  large,  rowm,  and  faire ; 
And  there  I  fand  of  peple  grete  repaire. 

This  is  to  seyne,  that  present  in  that  place 

Me  thoght  I  sawe  of  euery  nacioun  30 

Loueris  that  endit  had  thaire  lyfis  space 
In  lovis  seruice,  rnony  a  mylioun, 
Off  quhois  chancis  maid  is  mencioun 

In  diuerse  bukis,  quho  thame  list  to  se ; 

And  therefore  here  thaire  namys  lat  I  be.  35 

The  quhois  auenture  and  grete  labouris 
Aboue  thaire  hedis  writin  there  I  fand  ; 

This  is  to  seyne,  martris  and  confessouris, 
Ech  in  his  stage,  and  his  make  in  his  hand ; 
And  there-with-all  thir  peple  sawe  I  stand,  40 

With  mony  a  solempnit  contenance, 

After  as  Lufe  thame  lykit  to  auance. 

Off  gude  folkis,  that  faire  in  lufe  befill, 
Thare  saw  I  sitt  in  order  by  thame  one 

With  hedis  hore;  and  with  thame  stude  Gude-will,    45 
To  talk  and  play  ;  and  after  that  anon 
Besydis  thame  and  next  there  saw  I  gone 

Curage,  amang  the  fresche  folkis  3ong, 

And  with  thame  playit  full  merily  and  song. 

And  in  ane  othir  stage,  endlong  the  wall,  50 

There  saw  I  stand,  in  capis  wyde  and  lang, 

A  full  grete  nowmer;  bot  thaire  hudis  all, 
Wist  I  noght  quhy,  atoure  thair  eyen  hang; 
And  ay  to  thame  come  Repentance  amang, 


36  KING   JAMES   I. 

And  made  thanie  chere,  degysit  in  his  wede :  55 

And  dounward  efter  that  ^it  I  tuke  hede ; 

Ryght  ouerthwert  the  chamber  was  there  drawe 
A  trevesse  thin  and  quhite,  all  of  plesance, 

The  quhich  behynd,  standing  there  I  saw 

A  warld  of  folk,  and  by  thaire  contenance  60 

Thaire  hertis  semy t  full  of  displesance, 

With  billis  in  thaire  handis,  of  one  assent 

Vnto  the  iuge  thaire  playntis  to  present. 

And  thaire-with-all  apperit  vnto  me 

A  voce  and  said,  "  tak  hede  man,  and  behold  :        65 
fonder  thou  seis  the  hiest  stage  and  gree 

Of  agit  folk,  with  hedis  hore  and  olde ; 

3one  were  the  folke  that  neuer  change  wold 
In  lufe,  hot  trewly  seruit  him  alway, 
In  euery  age,  vnto  thair  ending-day.  70 

For  fro  the  tyme  that  thai  coud  vnderstand 

The  exercise  of  lufis  craft  the  cure, 
Was  non  on  lyve  that  toke  so  much  on  hand 

For  lufis  sake,  nor  langer  did  endure 

In  lufis  seruice ;  for  man,  I  the  assure,  75 

Quhen  thay  of  ^outh  ressauit  had  the  fill, 
}it  in  thaire  age  tham  lakkit  no  gude  will. 

Here  bene  also  of  suich  as  in  counsailis 
And  all  thar  dedis  ware  to  Venus  trewe ; 

Here  bene  the  princis  faucht  the  grete  batailis,  80 

In  mynd  of  quhoui  ar  maid  the  bukis  iiewe; 
Here  ben  the  poetis  that  the  sciencis  knewe, 


KING   JAMES   I.  37 

Throw  out  the  warld,  of  lufe  in  thaire  suete  layes, 
Suich  as  Ouide  and  Omere  in  thaire  dayes. 

And  efter  thame  down  in  the  nexte  stage,  85 

There  as  thou  seis  the  ^onge  folkis  pleye: 

Lo !  thise  were  thay  that,  in  thaire  myddill  age, 
Seruandis  were  to  lufe  in  mony  weye, 
And  diuersely  happinnit  for  to  deye ; 

Sum  soroufully,  for  wanting  of  thaire  raakis,  90 

And  sum  in  armes  for  thaire  ladyes  sakis. 

And  othir  eke,  by  othir  diuerse  chance, 

As  happin  folk  all  day,  as  ^e  may  se ; 
Some  for  dispaire,  without  recouerance  ; 

Sum  for  desyre  surmounting  thaire  degree ;  95 

Sum  for  dispite  and  othir  inmytee ; 
Sum  for  vnkyndenes  without  a  quhy ; 
Sum  for  to  moch,  and  sum  for  ielousye. 

And  efter  this,  vpon  ^one  stage  adoun, 

Tho  that  thou  seis  stond  in  capis  wyde,  100 

}one  were  quhilum  folk  of  religioun 

That  from  the  warld  thaire  gouernance  did  hide, 

And  frely  seruit  Lufe  on  euery  syde 
In  secrete,  with  thaire  bodyis  and  thaire  gudis. 
And  lo  !  quhy  so  thai  hingen  doun  thaire  hudis  :     105 

For  though  that  thai  were  hardy  at  assay, 

And  did  him  seruice  quhilum  priuely, 
}it  to  the  warldis  eye  it  semyt  nay ; 

So  was  thaire  seruice  halfdel  cowardy  ; 

And  for  they  first  forsuke  him  opynly,  110 


38  KING   JAMES   I. 

And  efter  that  thereof  had  repenting, 

For  schame  thaire  hudis  oure  thaire  eyne  thay  hyng. 

And  seis  thou  now  }one  multitude^  on  rawe 
Standing,  behynde  }one  trauerse  of  delyte  ? 

Sum  bene  of  tham  that  haldin  were  full  lawe,  115 

And  take  by  frendis,  nothing  thay  to  wyte, 
In  ^outh  from  lufe  into  the  cloistere  quite ; 

And  for  that  cause  are  curnmyn  recounsilit, 

On  thame  to  pleyne  that  so  thame  had  begilit. 

And  othir  bene  amongis  thame  also,  120 

That  curnmyn  ar  to  court  on  Lufe  to  pleyne, 

For  he  thaire  bodyes  had  bestowit  so 

Quhare  both  thaire  hertes  gruchen  ther-ageyne, 
For  quhich,  in  all  thaire  dayes,  soth  to  seyne, 

Quhen  othir  lyvit  in  ioye  and  in  plesance,  125 

Thaire  lyf  was  noght  bot  care  and  repentance ; 

And  quhare  thaire  hertes  gevin  were  and  set, 
Coplit  with  othir  that  coud  noght  accord ; 

Thus  were  thai  wrangit  that  did  no  forfet, 

Departing  thame  that  neuer  wold  discord ;  130 

Off  ^onge  ladies  faire,  and  mony  lord 

That  thus  by  maistry  were  fro  thair  chose  dryve, 

Full  redy  were  thaire  playntis  there  to  gyve." 

And  othir  also  I  sawe  compleyning  there, 

Vpon  fortune  and  hir  grete  variance,  135 

That  quhere  in  loue  so  wele  they  coplit  were 
With  thaire  suete  makis  coplit  in  plesance, 
Sche  sodeynly  maid  thaire  disseuerance, 


ROBERT   HENRYSON.  39 

And  tuke  thame  of  this  warldis  corapanye 

Withoutin  cause,  there  was  non  othir  quhy.  140 

The  Kingis  Quair,  St.  30-50;  74-93. 


ROBERT   HENRYSON. 


The  name  of  Henryson  or  Henderson  is  so  common  in  Scotland,  that  we 
cannot  identify  the  poet  with  certainty.  A  tradition  represents  him  as 
having  heen  a  schoolmaster  in  Dunfermline.  A  Master  Robert  Henryson 
was  a  Fellow  of  Glasgow  University  in  1462.  Dunbar,  in  a  poem  written 
about  1506,  mentions  his  death  as  a  recent  occurrence.  Henryson's  poems 
that  have  come  down  to  us  are  The  Testament  of  Cresseid,  Orpheus  and  Eunj- 
dice,  the  Moral  Fables,  Robene  and  Makyne,  and  some  shorter  pieces. 


Robene  and  Makyne. 

Robene  sat  on  gud  grene  hill, 

Kepand  a  flok  of  fe ; 
Mirry  Makyne  said  him  till, 

"  Robene,  thow  rew  on  me : 
I  haif  the  luvit  lowd  and  still,  5 

Thir  yeiris  two  or  thre ; 
My  dule  in  dern  bot  gif  thow  dill 

Doutless  but  dreid  I  de." 

Robene  answerit,  "  Be  the  Rude, 

Na  thing  of  lufe  I  knaw  ;  10 


40  ROBERT   HENRYSON. 

Bot  keipis  my  scheip  under  yone  wude, 

Lo!  quhair  thay  raik  on  raw. 
Quhat  hes  marrit  the  in  thy  mude, 

Makyne,  to  me  thow  schaw ; 
Or  what  is  lufe,  or  to  be  lude?  15 

Fane  wald  I  leir  that  law." 


"  At  luvis  lair  gif  thow  will  leir, 

Take  thair  ane  A,  B,  C : 
Be  heynd,  courtass,  and  fair  of  feir, 

Wyse,  hardy,  and  fre ; 
So  that  no  danger  do  the  deir, 

Quhat  dule  in  dern  thow  dre; 
Preiss  thee  with  pane  at  all  poweir, 

Be  pacient  and  previe." 


20 


Robene  answerit  hir  agane :  25 

"  I  wait  nocht  quhat  is  lufe  ; 
Bot  I  haif  mervell  in  certaine 

Quhat  makis  the  this  wanrufe. 
The  weddir  is  faire  and  I  am  fane, 

My  scheip  gois  haill  aboif ;  30 

And  we  wald  play  us  in  this  plane, 

They  wald  us  bayth  reproif." 

"  Robene  thou  reivis  me  roiff  and  rest ; 

I  luve  bot  the  allane." 
"  Makyne,  adew ;  the  sone  gois  west,  35 

The  day  is  neir-hand  gane." 
"Robene,  in  dule  1  am  so  drest, 

That  lufe  wilbe  my  bane." 


ROBERT   HENRYSON.  41 

"  Ga,  lufe,  Makyne,  quhair  evir  thow  list, 
For  lemman  I  luve  nane."  40 

"  Robene,  I  stand  in  sic  a  styll, 

I  sicht,  and  that  full  sair." 
"  Makyne,  I  haif  bene  heir  this  quhyle, 

At  hame  God  gif  I  wair." 
"  My  huny,  Robene,  talk  ane  quhyll,  45 

Gif  thow  will  do  na  mair." 
"  Makyne,  sum  uthir  man  begyle, 

For  hamewart  I  will  fair." 

Robene  on  his  wayis  went 

Als  licht  as  leif  of  tre ;  50 

Mawkyn  murnit  in  hir  intent, 

And  trowit  him  nevir  to  se. 
Robene  brayd  attour  the  bent ; 

Than  Makyne  cryit  on  hie — 
"  Now  ma  thow  sing,  for  I  am  schent :  55 

Quhat  alis  lufe  at  me?" 

Mawkyne  went  hame  withowttin  faill ; 

Full  wery  eftir  cowth  weip  : 
Than  Robene  in  a  full  fair  daill 

Assemblit  all  his  scheip.  60 

Be  that  sum  parte  of  Mawkynis  aill 

Out-throw  his  hairt  cowd  creip  : 
He  fallowit  hir  fast  thair  till  assaill, 

And  till  hir  tuke  gude  keip. 

"  Abyd,  abyd,  thow  fair  Makyne ;  65 

A  word  for  ony  thing : 


42  ROBERT   HENRYSON. 

For  all  my  luve  it  salbe  thyne, 

Withowttin  departing. 
All  haill  thy  liarte  for  till  haif  myne 

Is  all  ray  cuvating ;  70 

My  scheip  to  morne  quhill  houris  nyne 

Will  neid  of  no  keping." 

"  Robene,  thow  hes  hard  soung  and  say, 

In  gestis  and  storeis  auld, 
'  The  man  that  will  nocht  quhen  he  may,        75 

Sail  haif  nocht  quhen  he  wald.' 
I  pray  to  Jesu,  every  day 

Mot  eik  thair  cairis  cauld, 
That  first  preissis  with  the  to  play 

Be  firth,  forest,  or  fauld.  80 

"  Makyne,  the  nicht  is  soft  and  dry, 

The  weddir  is  warrae  and  fair, 
And  the  grene  woid  rycht  neir  us  by, 

To  walk  attour  all  quhair. 
Thair  raa  najanglour  us  espy  85 

That  is  to  lufe  contrair  ; 
Thairin,  Makyne,  bath  ye  and  I 

Unsene  we  ma  repair." 

"  Robene,  that  warld  is  all  away, 

And  quyt  brocht  till  ane  end,  90 

And  nevir  agane  thairto,  perfay, 

Sail  it  be  as  thow  wend  ; 
For  of  my  pane  thow  maid  it  play, 

And  all  in  vain  I  spend  : 
As  thow  hes  done,  so  sail  I  say,  95 

Murne  on,  I  think  to  mend. 


ROBERT   HENRYSON.  43 

"  Makyne,  thow  howp  of  all  my  heill, 

My  hairt  on  the  is  sett, 
And  evir  mair  to  the  be  leill, 

Quhill  I  may  leif,  but  lett ;  100 

Nevir  to  faill  as  utheris  faill 

Quhat  grace  that  evir  I  gett." 
"  Robene,  with  the  I  will  nocht  deill : 

Adew !  for  thus  we  niett." 

Makyne  went  hame  blyth  annewche,  105 

Attour  the  holtis  hair : 
Robene  murnit,  and  Makyne  lewche ; 

Scho  sang,  he  sichit  sair  ; 
And  so  left  him,  bayth  wo  and  wreuche 

In  dolour  and  in  cair,  110 

Kepand  his  hird  under  a  huche, 

Amangis  the  holtis  hair. 


The  Garmond  of  Gude  Ladeis. 

Wald  my  gude  Lady  lufe  me  best, 

And  wirk  eftir  my  will, 
I  suld  ane  garmond  gudliest 

Gar  mak  hir  body  till. 

Off  he  honour  suld  be  hir  hude  5 

Upoun  hir  heid  to  weir, 
Garneist  with  govirnance  sa  gude, 

Na  demyng  suld  hir  deir. 

Her  sark  suld  be  hir  body  nixt, 

Of  chestetie  sa  quhyt,  10 


44  ROBERT   HENRYSON. 

With  scbame  and  dreid  togidder  mixt, 
The  same  suld  be  perfyt. 

Hir  kirtill  suld  be  of  clene  Constance, 

Lasit  with  lesum  lufe, 
The  mail^heis  of  continuance,  15 

For  nevir  to  remufe. 

Hir  gown  suld  be  of  gudliness, 

Weill  ribband  with  renowne, 
Purfillit  with  plesour  in  ilk  place, 

Furrit  with  fyne  fassoun.  20 

Hir  belt  suld  be  of  benignitie, 

About  hir  middill  meit ; 
Her  inantill  of  humilitie, 

To  tholl  bayth  wind  and  weit. 

Hir  hat  suld  be  of  fair  having,  25 

And  hir  tepat  of  trewth  ; 
Her  patelet  of  gude  pausing, 

Hir  hals-ribbane  of  rewth. 

Hir  slevis  suld  be  of  esperance, 

To  keip  hir  fra  dispair ;  30 

Hir  gluvis  of  the  gude  governance, 

To  hyd  her  fyngearis  fair. 

Hir  schone  suld  be  of  sickerness, 

In  syn  that  scho  nocht  slyd ; 
Hir  hois  of  honestie,  I  ges,  35 

I  suld  for  hir  provyd. 


ROBERT   HENRYSON.  45 

Wald  scho  put  on  this  garmond  gay, 

I  durst  sweir  by  my  seill, 
That  scho  woir  never  grene  nor  gray 

That  set  hir  half  sa  weill.  40 


The  Wolf,  the  Fox,  and  the  Cadgear. 

Quhylum  thair  wynnit  in  ane  wildernes 
As  myne  authour  expresslie  can  declair, 

Ane  revand  Wolf,  that  levit  upon  purches, 
On  bestiall,  and  maid  him  weill  to  fair  ; 
Was  nane  sa  big  about  him  he  wald  spair,  5 

And  he  war  hungrie,  outher  for  favour  or  feid, 

Bot  in  his  wraith  he  weryit  thame  to  deid. 

Swa  happinit  him  in  watching  as  he  went, 
To  meit  ane  Foxe  in  middis  of  the  way ; 

He  him  foirsaw,  and  fen^eit  to  be  schent,  10 

And  with  ane  bek  he  bad  the  Wolf  gude  day. 
"  Welcum  to  me,"  quod  he,  "  thow  russell  gray  :  " 

Syne  loutit  doun,  and  tuke  him  be  the  hand — 

"  Ryse  up,  Lowrence,  I  leif  thee  for  to  stand. 

"  Quhair  hes  thow  bene  this  sesoun  fra  my  sicht  ?      15 
Thow  sail  beir  office,  and  my  stewart  be, 

For  thow  can  knap  doun  caponis  on  the  nicht, 
And  lowrand  law  thow  can  gar  hennis  de." 
"  Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "  that  ganis  nocht  for  me : 

And  I  am  raid,  gif  they  me  se  on  far,  20 

That  at  my  figure  beist  and  bird  will  skar." 


46  ROBERT   HENRYSON. 

"  Na,"  quod  the  Wolf,  "  thow  can  in  covert  creip 
Upon  thy  warae,  and  hint  thame  be  the  heid ; 

And  make  ane  suddand  schow  upon  ane  scheip, 

Syne  with  thy  wappinis  wirrie  him  to  deid."  25 

"  Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "  ye  knaw  my  robe  is  reid, 

And  thairfoir  thair  will  na  heist  abyde  me, 

Thocht  I  wald  be  sa  fals  as  for  to  hyde  me." 

"  Yes,"  quod  the  Wolf,  "  throw  buskis  and  throw  brayes, 
Law  can  thow  loure,  to  cum  to  thy  intent."  30 

"  Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "  ye  wait  weill  how  it  gais, 
Ane  lang  space  fra  thame  thay  will  feill  my  sent, 
Then  will  thay  eschaip,  suppois  I  suld  be  schent ; 

And  I  am  schamefull  for  to  cum  behind  thame, 

In  to  the  feild,  thocht  I  suld  sleipand  find  thame."     35 

"  Na,"  quod  the  Wolf,  "  thow  can  cum  on  the  wind ; 

For  everie  wrink,  forsuith,  thow  hes  ane  wyle." 
"Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "that  beist  ye  micht  call  blind, 

That  micht  nocht  eschaip  than  fra  me  ane  myle. 

How  micht  I  ane  of  thame  that  wyis  begyle  ?         40 
My  tippit  twa  eiris,  and  my  twa  gray  ene, 

Garris  me  be  kend,  quhair  I  wes  never  sene." 

Than  said  the  Wolf,  "  Lowrence,  I  heir  thee  lie, 
And  castis  for  perrellis  thy  ginnis  to  defend, 

Bot  all  thy  son^eis  sail  nocht  availl  thee,  45 

About  the  busk  with  wayis  thocht  thow  wend : 
Falset  will  faille  ay  at  the  lattir  end. 

To  bow  at  bidding,  and  byde  nocht  quhill  thow  brest, 

Thairfoir  I  gif  thee  counsall  for  the  best." 


ROBERT    HENRYSON.  47 

"  Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "  it  is  Leutren  ye  se,  50 

And  I  can  nouthir  fische  with  huke  nor  net, 

To  take  ane  banestikill,  thocht  we  baith  suld  de ; 
I  had  nane  uther  craft  to  win  my  nieit ; 
Bot  wer  it  Pasche,  that  men  suld  pultrie  eit, 

As  kiddis,  lam  bis,  or  caponis  in  to  ply,  55 

To  beir  your  office  than  wald  I  nocht  set  by." 

Than  said  the  Wolf  in  wraith,  "  Wenis  thow  with  wylis 
And  with  thy  mony  mowis  me  to  mate  ? 

It  is  ane  auld  dog,  doutles,  that  thow  begylis ; 

Thow  wenis  to  draw  the  stra  befoir  the  cat."  60 

" Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "God  wait,  I  mene  not  that; 

For,  and  I  did,  it  wer  weill  worth  that  ye 

In  ane  reid  raip  had  tyit  me  till  ane  tre. 

"  But  now  I  se  he  is  ane  fule,  perfay, 

That  with  his  maister  fallis  in  ressoning :  65 

I  did  bot  till  assay  quhat  ye  wald  say : 

God  wait,  my  mynd  wes  on  ane  uthir  thing. 

I  sail  fulfill  in  all  thing  your  bidding, 
Quhat  ever  ye  charge  on  nichtis  or  on  dayis." 
"  Weill,"  quod  the  Wolf, "  I  wait  weill  quhat  thow  sayis. 

70 
"  Bot  yit  I  will,  thow  mak  to  me  ane  aith 

For  to  be  leill  attour  all  levand  leid." 
"  Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "  that  ane  word  makis  me 
wraith, 

For  now  I  se  ye  haif  me  at  ane  dreid. 

Yit  sail  I  sweir,  suppois  it  be  nocht  neid,  75 

Be  Juppiter,  and  one  pane  of  my  heid, 
I  sail  be  trew  to  you,  quhill  I  be  deid."     • 


48  ROBERT   HENRYSON. 

With  that  ane  Cadgear,  with  capill  and  with  creillis, 
Come  carpand  furth  ;  than  Lowrence  culd  him  spy  ; 

The  Foxe  the  flewar  of  the  fresche  herring  feillis,      80 
And  to  the  Wolf  he  roundis  privelie, — 
"  Schir,  yone  ar  hering  the  Cadgear  caryis  by ; 

Thairfoir  I  reid  that  we  se  for  sum  wayis 

To  get  sum  fische  aganis  thir  fasting  dayis. 

"  Sen  I  am  Stewart,  I  wald  we  had  sum  stuff,  85 

And  3'e  ar  silver-seik,  I  wait  richt  weill ; 

Thocht  we  wald  thig,  yone  verray  churlische  chuff, 
He  will  nocht  gif  us  ane  hering  of  his  creill, 
Befoir  yone  churle  on  kneis  thocht  we  wald  kneill ; 

Bot  yit  I  trow  alsone  that  ye  sail  se  90 

Gif  I  can  craft  to  bleir  yone  carllis  ee. 

"  Schir,  ane  thing  is,  and  we  get  of  yone  pelf, 
Ye  mon  tak  travell,  and  mak  us  sum  supple ; 

For  he  that  will  nocht  laubour  aud  help  him  self, 
In  to  thir  dayis  he  is  nocht  worth  ane  fle ;  95 

I  think  to  wirk  as  besie  as  ane  be ; 

And  ye  sail  follow  ane  lytill  efterwart, 

And  gadder  hering,  for  that  sail  be  your  part." 

With  that  he  kest  ane  compas  far  about, 

And  straucht  him  doun  in  middis  of  the  way,       100 

As  he  were  deid,  he  fen^eit  him,  but  dout, 
And  than  upon  ane  lenth  unliklie  lay, 
The  quhyte  of  his  ene  he  turnit  up  in  tway ; 

His  toung  out  hang  ane  handbreid  of  his  heid, 

And  still  he  lay,  als  straught  as  he  wer  deid.  105 


ROBERT   HENRYSON.  49 

The  Cadgear  fand  the  Foxe,  and  he  wes  fane, 
And  till  him  self  thus  softlie  can  he  say, — 

"  At  the  nixt  bait  in  faith  ye  sail  be  flane, 

And  of  your  skyn  I  sail  mak  mittennis  tway." 

He  lap  full  lichtlie  about  him  quhair  he  lay,        110 

And  all  the  trace  he  trippit  on  his  tais, 

As  he  had  herd  ane  pyper  play,  he  gais. 

"  Heir  lyis  the  Deuill,"  quod  he,  "  deid  in  ane  dyke. 
Sic  ane  selcouth  saw  I  nocht  this  sevin  yeir; 

I  trow  ye  haif  bene  tussillit  with  sum  tyke,  115 

That  garris  yow  ly  sa  still  withouttin  steir : 
Schir  Foxe,  in  faith,  ye  ar  deir  welcome  heir  ; 

It  is  sum  wyfis  malisone,  I  trow, 

For  pultrie  pyking  that  lychtit  hes  on  yow. 

"  Thair  sail  na  pedder,  for  purs,  nor  yit  for  gluifis,     120 
Nor  yit  for  poyntis,  pyke  your  pellet  fra  me; 

I  sail  of  it  mak  mittennis  to  my  luifis, 

Till  hald  my  handis  hait  quhair  euer  I  be : 
Till  Flanderis  sail  it  neuer  saill  the  se." 

With  that  in  hy  he  hint  him  be  the  heillis,  125 

And  with  ane  swak  he  swang  him  on  the  creillis. 

Syne  be  the  heid  the  hors  in  hy  hes  hint ; 

The  fraudfull  Foxe  thairto  gude  tent  hes  tane, 

And  with  his  teith  the  stoppell,  or  he  stint, 

Pullit  out,  and  syne  the  hering  ane  and  ane  130 

Out  of  the  creillis  he  swakkit  doun  gude  wane. 

The  Wolf  wes  war  and  gadderit  spedilie ; 

The  Cadgear  sang,  "  Hunts  up,  up !  "  upon  hie. 
4 


50  ROBERT   HENRYSON. 

Yit  at  the  burne  the  Cad  gear  luikit  about, 

With  that  the  Foxe  lap  quyte  the  creillis  fra.       135 

The  Cadgear  wald  haif  raucht  the  Foxe  ane  rout, 
Bot  all  for  nocht,  he  wan  his  hoill  that  day  : 
Than  with  ane  schout  thus  can  the  Cadgear  say  : 

"  Abyde,  and  thow  ane  nek-hering  sail  haif, 

Is  worth  my  capill,  creillis,  and  all  the  laif."  140 

"  Now,"  quod  the  Foxe,  "  I  schrevv  me  and  we  meit ; 

I  herd  quhat  thow  hecht  to  do  with  my  skyn  ; 
Thy  handis  sail  neuer  in  thay  mittennis  tak  heit, 

Aud  thow  wer  hangit,  carll,  and  all  thy  kyu. 

Do  furth  thy  mercat ;  at  me  thow  sail  nocht  wyn ;  145 
And  sell  thy  hering  thow  lies  thair  till  hie  price, 
Ellis  thow  sail  wyn  nocht  on  thy  merchandice." 

The  Cadgear  trimillit  for  teyne  quhair  that  he  stude. 
"  It  is  weill  worthie,"  quod  he,  "  I  want  yone  tyke, 

That  had  nocht  in  my  hand  sa  mekill  gude  150 

As  staf,  or  sting,  yone  truker  for  to  stryke." 
With  that  lychtlie  he  lap  out  ouer  ane  dyke, 

And  hakkit  doun  ane  staf,  for  he  wes  tene, 

That  hevie  wes,  and  of  the  holyne  grene. 

With  that  the  Foxe  unto  the  Wolf  couth  wend,       155 
And  fand  him  be  ane  hering,  quhair  he  lyis : 

"  Schir,"  quod  he  then,  "  maid  I  nocht  fair  defend  ? 
Ane  wicht  man  wantit  neuer,  and  he  were  wyis: 
Ane  hardie  hairt  is  hard  for  to  suppryis." 

Than  said  the  Wolf,  "  Thow  art  a  barne  full  bald     160 

And  wyse  at  will,  in  gude  tyme  be  it  tald. 


EOBERT   HENRYSON.  51 

"  But  quhat  wes  yone  the  carll  cryit  on  hie, 

And  schuke  his  hand,"  quod  he ;  "  lies  thow  no  feill  ? " 

"  Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "  that  can  I  tell  trewlie : 
He  said  the  nek-hering  wes  in  the  creill."  165 

"  Kennis  thow  that  hering?"     "Yea,  schir,  I  ken 
it  weill ; 

And  at  the  creill  mouth  I  had  it  thryis,  but  dout ; 

The  wecht  of  it  neir  tit  my  tuskis  out. 


"  Now  suirlie,  schir,  might  we  that  hering  fang, 

It  wald  be  fische  to  us  thir  fourtie  dayis."  170 

Than  said  the  Wolf,  "  Now  God  nor  that  I  hang, 
Bot  to  be  thair  I  wald  gif  all  my  clais, 
To  see  gif  that  my  wappinnis  mycht  it  rais." 
Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "  God  wait,  I  wischit  you  oft, 

Quhen  that  my  pith  micht  nocht  beir  it  on  loft.       175 


<< 


"  It  is  ane  syde  of  salmond,  as  it  wer, 

And  callour  pypand  lyke  ane  pertrik  ee  ; 

It  is  worth  all  the  hering  ye  haif  thair, 

Yea,  and  we  had  it  swa,  it  is  worth  sic  thre." 
Than  said  the  Wolf,  "  Quhat  counsell  gevis  thow 
me  ?  "  180 

"Schir,"  said  the  Foxe,  "  wirk  efter  my  devyis, 

And  ye  sail  haif  it,  and  tak  you  na  suppryis. 

"  First,  ye  mon  cast  ane  compas  far  about, 

Syne  straucht  yow  doun  in  middis  of  the  way  ; 

Baith  heid  and  feit  and  taill  ye  mon  streik  out,  185 
Hing  furth  your  toung,  and  clois  weill  your  ene  tway, 
Syne  se  your  heid  on  ane  hard  place  ye  lay ; 


52  ROBEET   HENRYSON. 

And  dout  nocht  for  na  perrell  may  appeir, 

Bot  hold  yow  clois  quheu  that  the  carll  cumrais  neir. 

"  Aud,  thocht  ye  se  ane  staf,  haif  ye  na  dout,  190 

Bot  hald  yow  wonder  still  in  to  that  steid ; 

And  hike  your  ene  be  clois,  as  they  wer  out, 
And  se  that  ye  schrink  nouther  fute  nor  heid  : 
Than  will  the  Cadgear  carll  trow  ye  be  deid ; 

And  in  till  haist  will  hint  yow  be  the  heillis  195 

As  he  did  me,  and  swak  yow  on  his  creillis." 

"  Now,"  quod  the  Wolf,  "  I  sweir  thee  be  ray  thrift, 
I  trow  yone  Cadgear  carll  dow  nocht  me  beir." 

"  Schir,"  quod  the  Foxe,  "  on  loft  he  will  yow  lift, 
Upon  his  creillis,  and  do  him  lytill  deir.  200 

Bot  ane  thing  dar  I  suithlie  to  you  sweir, 

Get  ye  that  hering  sicker  in  sum  place, 

Ye  sail  not  fair  in  fisching  in  air  till  Pasche. 


'& 


"  I  sail  say  '  In  principio '  upon  yow, 

And  croce  your  corpis  from  the  top  to  ta :  205 

Wend  quhen  ye  will,  I  dar  be  warrand  now, 
That  ye  sail  de  no  suddand  deith  this  day." 
With  that  the  Wolf  gird  up  sone  and  to  ga, 

And  caist  ane  compas  about  the  Cadgear  far, 

Syne  straught  him  in  the  gait  or  he  come  nar.         210 

He  laid  his  halfheid  sicker  hard  and  sad, 

Syne  straught  his  four  feit  fra  him,  and  his  heid, 

And  hang  his  touug  furth  as  the  Foxe  him  bad, 
Als  still  he  lay  als  he  wer  verray  deid, 
Rakkand  na  thing  of  the  carllis  favour  nor  feid,  215 


ROBERT   HENRYSON.  53 

Bot  ever  upon  the  nek-hering  he  thinkis, 

And  quyte  forgettis  the  Foxe  and  all  his  wrinkis. 

With  that  the  Cadgear,  wavering  als  the  wind, 
Come  rydand  on  the  laid,  for  it  wes  licht, 

Thinkand  ay  on  the  Foxe  that  wes  behind,  220 

Upon  quhat  wyse  revenge  him  best  he  micht, 
And,  at  the  last,  of  the  Wolf  gat  ane  sicht, 

Quhair  he  in  lenth  lay  streikit  in  the  gait, 

Bot  gif  he  lichtit  doun  or  nocht,  God  wait. 

Softlie  he  said,  "  I  was  begylit  anis,  225 

Be  I  begylit  twyis,  I  schrew  us  baith : 

That  evill  bot  it  sail  licht  upon  thy  banis 

He  suld  haif  had  that  lies  done  me  the  skaith." 
On  hicht  he  hovit  the  staf,  for  he  wes  wraith, 

And  hit  him  with  sic  will  upoun  the  heid,  230 

Quhill  neir  he  swounit,  and  swelt  in  to  that  steid. 

Thre  battis  he  bure,  or  he  his  feit  mycht  find, 
Bot  yit  the  Wolf  wes  wicht  and  wan  away ; 

He  micht  not  se,  he  wes  sa  verray  blind, 

Nor  wit  reddilie  quhither  it  was  nicht  or  day.      235 
The  Foxe  beheld  that  service  quhair  he  lay, 

And  leuch  on  loft  quhen  he  the  Wolf  sa  seis, 

Baith  deif  and  dosinnit,  fall  swounand  on  his  kneis. 

He  that  of  ressoun  can  nocht  be  content, 

Bot  covetis  all,  is  abill  all  to  tyne:  240 

The  Foxe,  quhen  that  he  saw  the  Wolf  was  schent, 

Said  to  him  self,  "Thir  hering  sail  be  myne." 

I  lie,  or  ellis  he  was  efterwart  fyne, 


54  ROBERT   IIENRYSON. 

That  fand  sic  wayis  his  maister  for  to  greif. 

With  all  the  fische  thus  Lowrence  tuke  his  leif.       245 

The  Wolf  wes  neir  weill  dungin  to  the  deid, 
That  uneith  with  his  lyfe  away  he  wan, 

For  with  the  bastoun  weill  brokin  wes  his  heid  : 
The  Foxe  in  to  his  den  sone  drew  him  than, 
That  had  betraisit  his  maister  and  the  man  :         250 

The  ane  wantit  the  hering  of  his  creillis, 

The  utheris  blude  wes  rynnand  ouer  his  heillis. 


The  Uplandis  Mous  and  the  Burges  3fous. 

Esope,  myne  author,  makis  mentioun 
Of  twa  Myis,  and  thay  were  sisteris  deir, 

Of  quham  the  eldest  dwelt  in  ane  borrowis  toun, 
The  uther  winnit  uponland,  weill  neir; 
Rycht  solitar,  quhyles  under  busk  and  breir,  5 

Quhylis  in  the  come,  and  uther  mennis  shaith, 

As  outlawis  dois  and  levis  on  thair  waith. 

This  rural  1  Mous  in  to  the  wynter  tyde, 

Had  hunger,  cauld,  and  tholit  greit  distress  ; 

The  uther  Mous  that  in  the  burgh  can  byde  10 

Wes  gild-brother  and  maid  ane  free  burgess : 
Toll  fre  als,  but  custum  mair  or  less, 

And  fredome  had  to  ga  quhair  ever  scho  list 

Amang  the  cheis  in  ark,  and  meill  in  kist. 


ROBERT    HENRYSON.  55 

Ane  tyme  quhen  scho  wes  full  and  unfutesair,  15 

Scho  tuke  in  mynde  hir  sister  uponland, 

And  langit  for  to  heir  of  hir  weilfair, 

To  se  quhat  lyfe  scho  had  under  the  wand : 
Bairfute,  allone,  with  pykestalf  in  hir  hand, 

As  pure  pilgryme  scho  passit  out  of  toun,  20 

To  seik  hir  sister  baith  over  daill  and  doun. 

Furth  mony  wilsura  wayis  can  scho  walk, 

Throw  rnosse  and  muir,  throw  bankis,  busk  and  breir 

Scho  ranne  cryand,  quhill  scho  cam  to  ane  balk, 

"  Cum  furth  to  me  my  awin  sister  deir  ;  25 

Cry  peip  anis !  "     With  that  the  Mous  culd  heir, 

And  knew  her  voce,  as  kinnisman  will  do, 

Be  verray  kind,  and  furth  scho  come  hir  to. 

The  hartlie  joy,  Lord  God !  gif  ye  had  sene, 

Was  kithit  quhen  that  thir  twa  sisteris  met ;  30 

And  greit  kyndenes  was  schawin  thame  betuene, 
For  quhylis  they  leuch,  and  quhylis  for  joy  thay  gret, 
Quhylis  kissit  sweit,  and  quhylis  in  armis  plet ; 

And  thus  they  fure  quhill  soberit  wes  thair  mude, 

Syne  fute  for  fute  unto  the  chalmer  yude.  35 

As  I  hard  say,  it  was  ane  sober  wane, 

Of  fog  and  fairn  full  febillie  wes  maid, 
Ane  sillie  scheill  under  ane  steidfast  stane, 

Of  quhilk  the  entres  wes  nocht  hie  nor  braid  ; 

And  in  the  samyn  thay  went  but  mair  abaid,         40 
Withoutin  fyre  or  candill  birnand  bricht, 
For  commounlie  sic  pykeris  luffis  not  licht. 


56  ROBERT    HENRYSON. 

Quhen  thay  were  lugit  thus,  thir  selie  Myse, 
The  youngest  sister  uuto  her  butterie  yeid, 

And  brocht  furth  nuttis  and  peis  instead  ofspyce:    45 
Gif  this  wes  gude  fair  I  do  it  on  thanie  besyde. 
The  b urges  Mous  prompit  furth  in  pryde, 

And  said,  "  Sister,  is  this  your  daylie  fude?  " 

"  Quhy  not,"  quod  scho,  "  is  nocht  this   raeit  rycht 
gude?" 

"  Na,  be  ray  saull,  I  think  it  hot  ane  scorne."  50 

"  Madame,"  quod  scho,  "  ye  be  the  mair  to  blame : 

My  mother  said,  sister,  quhen  we  were  borne, 
That  ye  and  I  lay  baith  within  ane  wame : 
I  keip  the  rate  and  custume  of  my  dame, 

And  of  my  leving  in  to  povertie,  55 

For  landis  haif  we  nane  in  propertie." 

"  My  fair  sister,"  quod  scho,  "  haif  me  excusit : 
This  rude  dyet  and  I  can  nocht  accord  ; 

Till  tender  meit  my  stomok  is  ay  usit, 

For  quhylis  I  fair  als  well  as  ony  lord.  60 

Thir  widderit  peis,  and  nuttis,  or  thay  be  bord, 

Will  brek  my  teith,  and  mak  ray  wame  full  sklender, 

Quhilk  wes  befoir  usit  to  meittis  tender." 

Weill,  weill,  sister,"  quod  the  rurall  Mous, 

"  Gif  it  pleis  yow,  sic  thingis  as  ye  se  heir,  65 

Baith  meit  and  drink,  harberie  and  hous, 
Salbe  your  awin,  will  ye  remane  all  yeir ; 
Ye  sail  it  haif  with  blyith  and  merie  cheir, 

And  that  suld  mak  the  maissis  that  ar  rude, 

Amang  freindis  richt  tender  and  wonder  gude.  70 


ROBERT    HENRYSON.  57 

"  Quhat  plesure  is  in  feistis  delicate, 

The  quhilkis  are  gevin  with  ane  glowinand  brow  ? 

Ane  gentill  hart  is  better  recreat 

With  blyith  curage,  than  seith  till  him  ane  kow : 
Ane  modicum  is  mair  for  till  allow,  75 

Swa  that  gude  will  be  kerver  at  the  dais, 

Than  thrawin  vult  and  money  spycit  mais." 

For  all  hir  merie  exhortatioun, 

This  burges  Mous  had  lytill  will  to  sing, 

Bot  hevilie  scho  kest  hir  brnwis  doun,  80 

For  all  the  daynteis  that  scho  culd  hir  bring. 
Yit  at  the  last  scho  said,  half  in  hething : 

"  Sister,  this  victuall  and  your  royall  feist 

May  weill  suffice  unto  ane  rurall  beist. 

"  Lat  be  this  hole,  and  cum  in  to  my  place,  85 

I  sail  to  you  schaw  be  experience, 
My  Gude  Fryday  is  better  nor  your  Pace ; 

My  dische  weschingis  is  worth  your  haill  expence ; 

I  haif  housis  anew  of  greit  defence; 
Of  cat,  nor  fall  trap,  I  haif  na  dreid."  90 

"  I  grant,"  quod  scho ;  and  on  togidder  they  yeid. 

In  stubbill  array  throw  rankest  gers  and  corne, 
And  under  buskis  prevelie  couth  they  creip. 

The  eldest  wes  the  gyde  and  went  beforne, 

The  younger  to  hir  wayis  tuke  gude  keip.  95 

On  nicht  they  ran,  and  on  the  day  can  sleip ; 

Quhill  in  the  morning  or  the  laverock  sang, 

Thay  fand  the  toun,  and  in  blythlie  couth  gang. 


58  ROBERT    1IKNRYSON. 

Nocht  fer  fra  thyne  unto  ane  worthie  wane, 

This  burges  brocht   thame   sone   quhair   thai   suld 
be ;  100 

Without  God  speid  thair  herberie  wes  tane, 
In  to  ane  spence  with  vittell  greit  plentie  ; 
Baith  cheis  and  butter  upone  thair  skelfis  hie, 

And  flesche  and  'fische  aneuch,  baith  fresche  and  salt, 

And  sekkis  full  of  meill  and  eik  of  malt.  105 

Efter  quhen  thay  disposit  were  to  dyne, 

Withouttin  grace  thay  wesche  and  went  to  meit, 

With  all  the  coursis  that  cuikis  culd  defyne, 
Muttoun  and  beif  strikin  in  tai^eis  greit; 
And  lordis  fair  thus  couth  they  counterfeit,  110 

Except  ane  thing,  they  drank  the  watter  cleir 

Instead  of  wyne;  bot  yit  they  maid  gude  cheir. 

With  blyith  upcast  and  merie  countenance 

The  eldest  sister  sperit  at  her  gaist 
Gif  that  scho  be  ressone  faud  difference  115 

Betuix  that  chalmer  and  hir  sarie  nest? 

"  Ye  dame,"  quod  scho,  "  How  lang  will  this  lest?  " 
"  For  evermair,  I  wait,  and  langer  to." 
"  Gif  it  be  swa,  ye  are  at  eis,"  quod  scho. 

Til  eik  thair  cheir  ane  subcharge  furth  scho  brocht,  120 
Ane  plait  of  grottis,  and  ane  dische  full  of  meill, 

Thraf  caikkis  als  I  trow  scho  spairit  nocht, 
Aboundantlie  about  hir  for  to  deill ; 
And  mane  full  fyne  scho  brocht  insteid  of  geill, 

And  ane  quhyte  candill  out  of  ane  coffer  stall,  125 

In  steid  of  spyce  to  gust  thair  mouth  withall. 


ROBERT   HENRYSON.  59 

Thus  maid  thay  merie  quhill  thay  micht  na  mair, 
And,  Haill  Yule,  haill !  cryit  upon  hie  ; 

Yit  efter  joy  oftymes  cummis  cair, 

And  troubill  efter  greit  prosperitie  :  130 

Thus  as  they  sat  in  all  thair  iolitie, 

The  Spenser  come  with  keyis  in  his  hand, 

Opinnit  the  dure,  and  thame  at  denner  fand. 

Thay  taryit  nocht  to  wesche  as  I  suppois, 

But  on  to  ga  quha  that  inicht  formest  win.  135 

The  burges  had  ane  hoill,  and  in  scho  gois, 
Hir  sister  had  na  hoill  to  hyde  her  in ; 
To  se  that  selie  Mous,  it  wes  greit  syn, 

So  desolate  and  will  of  ane  gude  reid, 

For  verray  dreid  scho  fell  in  swoun  neir  deid.  140 

Bot  as  God  wald,  it  fell  ane  happy  cace, 

The  Spenser  had  na  laser  for  to  byde, 
Nouther  to  seik  nor  serche,  to  skar  nor  chace, 

Bot  on  he  went,  and  left  the  dure  up  wyde. 

The  bald  burges  his  passing  weill  hes  spyde,         145 
Out  of  her  hoill  scho  come,  and  cryit  on  hie, 
"  How  fair  ye  sister?  cry  peip,  quhair  ever  ye  be !  " 

This  nirall  Mous  lay  flatling  on  the  ground, 
And  for  the  deith  scho  wes  full  sair  dredand, 

For  till  hir  hart  straik  mony  wofull  stound,  150 

As  in  ane  fever  scho  trimbillit  fute  and  hand  ; 
And  quhan  hir  sister  in  sic  ply  hir  fand, 

For  verray  pietie  scho  began  to  greit, 

Syne  confort  hir  with  wordis  hunny  sweit. 


60  ROBERT   HENRYSON. 

"  Quhy  ly  ye  thus?  ryse  up  my  sister  deir :  155 

Cum  to  your  meit,  this  perrell  is  overpast." 

The  uther  auswerit  hir,  with  hevie  cheir, 
"  I  may  nocht  eit  sa  sair  I  am  agast ; 
I  had  levir  thir  fourtie  dayis  fast, 

With  watter-caill,  and  to  gnaw  benis  or  peis  160 

Than  all  your  feist,  in  this  dreid  and  diseis." 

With  fair  tretie  yit  scho  gart  hir  upryse, 

And  to  the  burde  thay  went  and  togidder  sat, 

And  scantlie  had  they  drunkin  anis  or  twys, 

Quhen  in  come  Gib-Hunter  our  iolie  cat,  165 

And  bade  God  speid :  the  b urges  up  with  that, 

And  till  the  hoill  scho  went  as  fyre  of  flint — 

Bawdronis  the  uther  be  the  bak  lies  hint. 

Fra  fute  to  fute  he  kest  hir  to  and  fra, 

Quhylis  up,  quhylis  doun,  als  cant  as  ony  kid  ;     170 
Quhylis  wald  he  lat  hir  run  under  the  stra, 

Quhylis  wald  he  wink,  and  play  with  her  bukhid. 

Thus  to  the  selie  Mous  greit  pane  he  did, 
Quhill  at  the  last,  throw  fortune  and  gude  hap, 
Betuix  ane  burde  and  the  wall  scho  crap.  1 75 

And  up  in  haist  behind  ane  parpalling 

Scho  clam  so  hie,  that  Gilbert  micht  not  get  hir, 

Syne  be  the  cluke  thair  craftelie  can  hing 
Till  he  wes  gane,  hir  cheir  was  all  the  bettir; 

Syne  doun  scho  lap  quhen  thair  wes  nane  to  let  hir,    180 

And  to  the  burges  Mous  loud  can  scho  cry, 
"  Fairweill,  sister,  thy  feist  heir  I  defy  ! 


ROBERT   HENRYSON.  61 

"  Thy  mangerie  is  myngit  all  with  cair  ; 

Thy  guse  is  gude,  thy  gansell  sour  as  gall : 
The  subcharge  of  thy  service  is  bot  sair,  185 

So  sail  thow  find  heir-efterwart  may  fall. 

I  thank  yone  courtyne  and  yone  perpall  wall, 
Of  ruy  defence  now  fra  ane  crewell  beist. 
Almychty  God  keip  me  fra  sic  ane  feist ! 

"  Were  I  in  to  the  kith  that  I  come  fra,  190 

For  weill  nor  wo,  suld  never  cum  agane." 

With  that  scho  tuk  hir  leif  and  furth  can  ga, 

Quhylis  throw  the  corne,  and  quhylis  throw  the  plane. 
Quhen  scho  wes  furth  and  fre  scho  wes  ful  fane, 

And  merilie  ruerkit  unto  the  mure.  195 

I  can  nocht  tell  how  efterwart  scho  fure ; 

Bot  I  hard  say,  scho  passit  to  hir  den, 

Als  warme  als  woll,  suppose  it  wes  nocht  greit, 

Full  benely  stuffit,  baith  but  and  ben, 

Of  beinis,  and  nuttis,  peis,  ry  and  quheit ;  200 

Quhen  ever  scho  list  scho  had  aneuch  to  eit, 

In  quyet  and  eis,  withoutin  ony  dreid  ; 

Bot  to  hir  sisteris  feist  na  mair  scho  yeid. 


62  HOLLAND. 


HOLLAND. 


From  the  poem  itself  we  learn  that  the  author  of  the  Howlat  was  named 
Holland,  that  be  lived  in  (lie  forest  of  Terneway  in  Moray,  and  thai  he 
was  a  devoted  partisan  of  the  house  of  Douglas.  He  has  been  conjecturally 
identified  with  a  sir  Richard  Holland,  a  priest,  who,  with  certain  other 
partisans  of  the  Douglas,  was  excluded  from  a  general  pardon  in  1482.  Hol- 
land is  mentioned  as  a  distinguished  poet  by  Dunbar  and  Lyndsay. 


In  the  niyddis  of  May,  at  morne,  as  I  nient, 

Thro  we  myrth  markit  on  mold  till  a  grene  raeid, 
The  hemes  hlythest  of  hie  fro  the  son  blent, 

That  all  brichtnyt  about  the  bordouris  on  breid  ; 
With  alkyn  herbes  of  air  that  war  in  erd  lent  5 

The  feildis  flurist  and  fret  full  of  fairhed ; 
So  soft  was  the  sessoun  our  Souerane  dovne  sent 

Throw  the  greable  gift  of  his  Godhed, 
That  all  was  amyable  owr  the  air  and  the  erd  ; 

Thus,  throw  thir  cliftis  so  cleir,  10 

Withoutin  fallowe  or  feir, 
I  raikit  till  ane  reveir 
That  ryally  apperd. 

This  riche  revir  dovn  ran,  but  resting  or  ruf, 

Throwe  ane  forest  on  fold  that  farly  was  fair;        15 

All  the  brayis  of  the  brym  hair  branchis  abuf, 
And  birdis  hlythest  of  ble  on  blossomes  bair ; 


HOLLAND.  63 

The  land  lowne  was  and  le,  with  lyking  and  luf, 

And  for  to  lende  by  that  laike  thocht  me  levar, 
Becaus  that  thir  hartes  in  heirdis  couth  huf,  20 

Pransand  and  prun^eand,  be  pair  and  bejiair: 
Thus  sat  I  in  solace,  sekerly  and  sure, 
Content  of  the  fair  firth 
Mekle  mair  of  the  mirth, 
Alsblyth  of  the  birth  25 

That  the  ground  bure. 

The  birth  that  the  ground  bure  was  browdin  on  breidis 

With  girss  gaye  as  the  gold,  and  granes  of  grace, 
Mendis  and  medicyne  for  mennis  all  neidis, 

Helpe  to  hert  and  to  hurt,  heilfull  it  was.  30 

Undir  the  cirkill  solar  thir  sauorous  seidis 

War  nurist  be  Dame  Natur,  that  noble  mastress ; 
Bot  all  thar  names  to  nevyn  as  now  it  nocht  neid  is, 

It  war  prolixt  and  lang,  and  lenthyng  of  space, 
And  I  haue  mekle  matir  in  metir  to  gloss  35 

Of  ane  nothir  sentence, 
And  waike  is  my  eloquence, 
Tharfor  in  haist  will  I  hens 
To  the  purposs. 

Off  that  purpos  in  the  place,  be  pryme  of  the  day,     40 

I  herd  ane  petuos  appele  with  ane  pur  mane, 
Solpit  in  sorowe,  that  sadly  couth  say, 

"  Wa  is  me,  wretche  in  this  warld,  wilsome  of  wane ! " 
With  mair  murnyng  in  mynd  than  I  meyne  may, 

Rolpit  reuthfully  roth  in  a  rude  rane:  45 

Of  that  ferly  on  fold  I  fell  in  affray, 

Nirar  that  noys  in  nest  I  nechit  in  ane. 


64  HOLLAND. 

I  sawe  ane  Howlat  in  haist  vndir  ane  holyne, 
Lukaud  the  laike  throwe, 
And  sawe  his  awne  schadowe,  50 

.  At  the  quhilk  he  couth  growe 
And  maid  govvlyne. 

He  grat  grysly  grym  and  gaif  a  gret  :$owle, 

Cheuerand  and  chydand  with  churliche  eheir ; 
"  Quhy  is  my  far,"  quoth  the  fyle,  "  fassonit  so  foule,  55 

My  forme  and  my  fetherem  vnfrely,  but  feir? 
My  neb  is  netherit  as  a  nok,  I  am  bot  ane  Owle ; 

Aganis  natur  in  the  nicht  I  walkin  to  weir ; 
I  dare  do  nocht  on  the  day,  but  droupe  as  a  dovle, 

Nocht  for  schame  of  my  schape  in  pert  till  appeir.   60 
Thus  all  thir  fowlis  for  my  filth  has  me  at  feid ; 
That  be  I  seyne  in  thar  sicht„ 
To  luke  out  on  day  licht, 
Sum  will  me  dulfully  dicht, 

Sum  dyng  me  to  deid.  65 

"  Sum  bird  will  bay  at  my  beike,  and  sum  will  me  byte, 

Sum  skripe  me  with  scorne,  sum  skrym  at  myn  e; 
I  se  be  my  schadowe  my  schape  has  the  wyte ; 

Quhom  sail  I  blame  in  this  breth,  a  bysyn  that  I  be? 
Is  nane  bot  Dame  Natur,  I  bid  nocht  to  nyte,  70 

Till  accuse  of  this  caise  in  case  that  I  de  ; 
Bot  quha  sail  mak  me  ane  mendis  of  hir  worth  a  myte, 

That  thus  has  maid  on  the  mold  ane  monstour  of  me? 
I  will  appele  to  the  Pape,  and  pass  till  him  plane ; 

For  happin  that  his  Halynace,  75 

Throw  prayer  may  purchace 


HOLLAND.  65 

To  reforme  my  foule  face, 
And  then  war  I  fane. 

"  Fayne  wald  I  wyte,"  quoth  the  fyle,  "  or  I  furth 
fure, 
Quha  is  fader  of  all  foule,  pastour  and  pape ;         80 
That  is  the  plesant  Pacock,  precious  and  pure, 

Constant  and  kirklyk  vnder  his  cler  cape, 
Myterit,  as  the  rnaner  is,  manswet  and  mure, 

Schroude  in  his  schene  weid,  schand  in  his  schap, 
Sad  in  his  sanctitud,  sekerly  and  sure ;  85 

I  will  go  to  that  gud,  his  grace  for  to  grap." 
Of  that  bourde  I  was  blythe,  and  bade  to  behald, 
The  Howlet  wylest  in  wyce, 
Raikit  vnder  the  rys 

To  the  Pacoke  of  pryce  90 

That  was  Pape  cald. 

Befor  the  Pape  quhen  the  pur  present  him  had, 

With  sic  courtassy  as  he  couth,  on  kneis  he  fell ; 
Said,  "  Aue  Raby,  be  the  Rud,  I  am  richt  rad 

For  to  behald  }our  Halynes,  or  my  tale  tell ;  95 

I  may  not  suffys  to  se  ^our  Sanctitud  sad." 

The  Pape,  wysly  i-wis,  of  worschipe  the  well, 
Gaif  him  his  braid  benesoun,  and  baldly  him  bad 

That  he  suld  spedely  speike  and  spair  nocht  to  spell. 
"  I  come  to  speir,"  quoth  the  spreit,  "  in  to  speciall,   100 
Quhy  I  am  formed  so  fowle, 
Ay  to  }owt  and  to  ^owle 
As  an  horrible  Owle, 
Wgsum  our  all. 


66  HOLLAND. 

"  I  am  netherit  ane  Owll  thus  be  Natur,  105 

Lykar  a  fule  than  a  fowle  in  figur  and  face  ; 
Bysyn  of  all  birdis  that  euer  body  bure, 

Withoutin  caus  or  cryme  kend  in  this  case. 
I  haue  appelit  to  }our  presence,  precious  and  pur, 

Askis  helpe  in  till  haist  at  }our  Halynes,  110 

That  }e  wald  cry  apou  Crist,  that  all  has  in  cur, 
To  schape  me  a  schand  bird  in  a  schort  space ; 
And  till  accuse  Natur,  this  is  no  nay ; 

Thus,  throw  ^our  halynes,  may  }e 
Make  a  fair  foule  of  me  115 

Or  elles,  dredles  I  de 
Or  myne  end  day." 

"Off  thi  deid,"  quoth  the  Pape,  "  pite  I  haife, 

Bot  apon  Nature  to  pleyne,  it  is  perrell ; 
I  can  nocht  say  sudanelye,  so  me  Crist  saif,  120 

Bot  I  sail  call  my  cardinallis  and  my  counsall, 
Patriarkis  and  prophetis,  of  lerit  the  laif; 

They  salbe  semblit  full  sone,  that  thow  se  sail." 
He  callit  on  his  cubicular  within  his  conclaif, 

That  was  the  proper  Papeiaye,  provde  in  his  appa- 
rale;  125 

Bad  send  for  his  secretar,  and  his  sele  sone, 
That  was  the  Turtour  trewest 
Ferine,  faithfull,  and  fast, 
That  bure  that  office  honest, 

And  enterit  but  hone.  130 

The  Pape  commandit  but  hone  to  wryte  in  all  landis, 
Be  the  said  secretar  that  the  sele  ^emyt, 


HOLLAND.  67 

For  all  statis  of  kirk  that  under  Crist  standis, 

To  semble  to  his  summondis,  as  it  wele  semyt. 
The  trewe  Turtour  has  tane  with  the  tythandis,       135 

Done  dewlie  his  det  as  the  deir  demyt ; 
Syne  belyf  send  the  letteris  in  to  seir  landis, 

With  the  Swallowe  so  swyft,  in  speciale  expremit 
The  Papis  harrald,  at  poynt  in  to  present, 

For  he  is  forthward  to  fle,  140 

And  ay  will  haue  entre 
In  hous  and  in  hall  hie,  , 

To  tell  his  en  tent. 

Quhat  suld  I  tell  ony  mair  of  thir  materis, 

Bot  thir  lordis  belyf  the  letteris  has  tane,  145 

Resauit  thame  with  reuereiice,  to  reid  as  efferis, 

And  richely  the  harraldis  rewardit  ilkane, 
Than  busk  thai  but  blyn,  inony  bewschyris, 

Grathis  tham  but  grutchyng  that  gait  for  to  gane. 
All  the  statis  of  the  kirk  out  of  steid  steris,  150 

And  I  sail  not  ^ow  rieht  now  thar  names  in  ane, 
How  thai  apperit  to  the  Pape,  and  present  thaini  aye 
Fair-farrand  and  fre, 
In  a  gudly  degre, 

And  manlyke,  as  thocht  me,  155 

In  myddis  of  May. 

All  thus  in  May,  as  I  ment,  in  a  mornyng, 
Come  four  Fasandis  full  fair  in  the  first  front, 

Present  tham  as  patriarkis  in  thar  appering 

Benyiig  of  obedience,  and  blyth  in  the  bront.       160 

A  college  of  cardinalis  come  syne  in  a  lyng, 
That  war  Crannis  of  kynd,  gyf  I  richt  compt, 


68  HOLLAND. 

With  red  hattis  ou  hed  in  haile  takynning 

Of  that  deir  dignite,  with  worschipe  ay  wont; 
Thir  ar  fowlis  of  ettect,  but  fellony  or  feid,  165 

Spirituale  in  all  thing, 
Leile  in  thar  leving 
Tharfor  in  dignite  digne 

Thay  dure  to  thar  deid. 

3it  endurand  the  daye  to  that  deir  drewe  170 

.     Swannis  suowchand  full  swyth,  swetest  of  swar, 
In  quhyte  rocatis  arrayd ;  as  I  riclit  knewe 

That  thai  war  bischopis  blist,  I  was  the  blythar, 
Stable  and  steidfast,  tender  and  trewe, 

Off  fewe  wordis,  full  wys  and  worthy  thai  war;    175 
Thar  was  Pyotis,  and  Partrikis,  and  Pluwaris  ynewe, 

As  abbotis  of  all  ordouris  that  honourable  ar; 
The  Se  Mawis  war  monkis,  the  blak  and  the  quhyte ; 
The  Goule  was  a  gryntar, 
The  Swerthbak  a  sellerar,  180 

The  Scarth  a  fische  fangar, 
And  that  a  perfyte. 

Parfytlye  thir  Pikmawis,  as  for  priouris, 

With  thar  party  habitis  present  thain  thar ; 
Heronnis  conteiuplatif,  elene  charterouris,  185 

With  toppit  hudis  on  hed,  and  clething  of  hair  ; 
Ay  sorowfull  and  sad  at  evin  sang  and  houris, 

Was  neuer  leid  saw  thaiin  lauch,  hot  drowpand  and 
dar ; 
Alkyn  chennonis  eik  of  vther  ordouris 

All  inaner  of  religioun,  the  less  and  the  inair:      190 


HOLLAND.  69 

Cryand  Crawis  and  Cais  that  cravis  the  come, 
War  pure  freris  forthward, 
That  with  the  leif  of  the  lard, 
Will  cum  to  the  come  ^ard 

At  ewyn  and  at  morne.  195 

3it  or  ewyn  enterit  come  that  bur  office, 

Obeyand  thir  bischoppis,  and  bydand  thame  by, 
Gret  Ganeris  on  ground,  in  gudly  awys, 

That  war  demyt,  but  dowt,  denys  douchty ; 
Thai  mak  residence  raith,  and  airly  will  ryse  200 

To  kepe  the  college  cleine  and  the  clergye. 
The  Cok  in  his  cleir  cape,  that  crawis  and  cryis, 

Was  chosyn  chauntour  full  cheif  in  the  channonry. 
Thar  come  the  Curlewe,  a  clerk,  and  that  full  cunnand, 
Chargit  as  chancillar,  205 

For  he  couth  wryte  wounder  fair, 
With  his  neb  for  mistar, 
Apon  the  se  sand. 

Quhen  thai  had  songyn  and  said,  softly  and  schour, 

And  playit  as  of  paradys  it  a  point  war,  210 

In  cum  iapand  the  la,  as  a  iuglour, 

With  castis  and  with  cawtelis,  a  quaynt  caryar  : 
He  gart  thaim  se,  as  it  semyt,  in  the  samyn  hour, 

Hunting  at  herdis,  in  holtis  so  hair  ; 
Sound  saland  on  the  se  schippis  of  tour  215 

Bernes  batalland  on  burde,  brym  as  a  hair; 
He  couth  cary  the  cowpe  of  the  kingis  des, 
Syne  leve  in  the  sted 
Bot  a  black  bun  wed  : 


70  HOLLAND. 

He  couth  of  a  hennis  hed  220 

Make  a  mane  mes. 

He  gart  the  Empriour  trowe,  and  trewly  behald, 

That  the  Corn  Crake,  the  pundar  at  hand, 
Had  pyndit  all  his  prys  hors  in  a  pundfald 

For  caus  thai  ete  of  the  corne  in  the  kirkland.     225 
He  couth  werk  wounderis  quhat  way  that  he  wald  : 

Mak  of  a  gray  gus  a  gold  garland  ; 
A  lang  sper  of  a  betill  for  a  berne  bald, 

Nobillis  of  nut  schellis,  and  siluer  of  sand. 
Thus  iowkit  with  iuperdys  the  iangland  la :  230 

Fair  ladyis  in  ryngis, 
Knychtis  in  caralyngis, 
Boith  dansis  and  syngis  ; 
It  semyt  as  sa. 

Sa  come  the  Ruke  with  a  rerd  and  a  rane  roch,       235 

A  bard  owt  of  Irland  with  "  Banachadee !  " 
Said,  "  Gluntow  guk  dynyd  dach  hala  mischy  doch  ; 
Raike   hir  a   rug   of   the   rost   or   scho   sail  ryiue 
the! 
Mich  macmory  ach  raach  mometir  moch  loch  ; 

Set  hir  dovne,  gif  hir  drink ;  quhat  dele  alis  the?  240 
O  Deremyne,  O  Donnall,  O  Dochardy  droch !  " 

(Thir  ar  his  Irland  kingis  of  the  Irischerye) 
"  O  Knewlyn,  O  Conochor,  O  Gregre  Makgranc! 
The  schenachy,  the  clarschach, 
The  benschene,  the  ballach,  245 

The  crekery,  the  corach, 

Scho  kennis  thaime  ilkane." 


HOLLAND.  71 

Mony  lesingis  he  maid  ;  wald  let  for  no  man 

To  speik  quhill  he  spokin  had;  sparit  no  thingis. 
The  dene  rurale,  the  Ravyn,  reprovit  him  than,       250 

Bad  him  his  lesingis  leif  befor  thai  lordingis. 
The  bard  worth  brane  wod,  and  bitterly  couth  ban  ; 
"  Thow  Corby  messinger,"  quoth  he,  "  with  sorowe 
thow  syngis : 
Thow  ischit  out  of  Noyes  ark,  and  to  the  erd  wan, 

Taryit  as  a  tratour,  and  brocht  na  ty thingis.         255 
I  sail  ryiue  the,  Ravyne,  baith  guttis  and  gall !  " 
The  dene  rurale  worthit  reid, 
Stawe  for  schame  of  the  steid. 
The  barde  held  a  grete  pleid 

In  the  hie  hall.  260 

In  come  twa  flyrand  fulis  with  a  fonde  fair, 

The  Tuchet  and  the  gukkit  Golk,  and  ^eid  hiddy- 
giddy ; 
Ruschit  baith  to  the  bard  and  ruggit  his  hair  ; 

Callit  him  thrys  "  thevisnek,  to  thrawe  in  a  widdy." 
Thai  fylit  him  fra  the  fortope  to  the  fut  thar.  265 

The  barde,  smaddit  lyke  a  smaik  smorit  in  a  smedy, 
Ran  fast  to  the  dure  and  gaif  a  greit  rair ; 

Socht  wattir  to  wesche  him  thar  out  in  ane  ydy. 
The  lordis  leuch  apon  loft  and  lyking  thai  had 

That  the  barde  was  so  bet :  270 

The  fulis  fonde  in  the  flet, 
And  mony  mowis  at  mete 
On  the  flure  maid. 

Syne  for  ane  figonale  of  frut  thai  straif  in  the  steid  ; 
The  Tuchet  gird  to  the  Golk  and  gaif  him  a  fall,  275 


72  HOLLAND. 

Tiaif  his  taile  fra  his  rig  with  a  rath  pleid  ; 

The  Golk  gat  wpe  aganc  in  the  gret  hall, 
Tit  the  Tuchet  be  the  tope,  ourtirvit  his  hed, 
Flang  him  flat  in  the  fyre,  fetheris  and  all. 
He    cryit,  "  Allace !  "   with    ain    rair,  "  revyn    is    my 
reid!  ^80 

I  am  vngraciously  gorrit  baith  guttis  and  gall !  " 
3it  he  lap  fra  the  lowe  richt  in  a  lyne. 

Quhen  thai  had  remelis  raucht, 
Thai  forthocht  that  thai  faucht ; 
Kissit  samyn  and  saucht,  285 

And  sat  dovne  syne. 

All  thus  thir  hathillis  in  hall  heirly  remanit, 

With  all  welthis  at  wiss,  and  worschipe  to  wale. 
The  Pape  begynnis  the  grace,  as  greably  ganit, 

Wosche  with  thir  worthyis,  and  went  to  counsall.    290 
The  pure  Howlatis  appele  completely  was  planyt, 
His  fait  and  his  foule  forme,  vnfrely  but  faile : 
For  the  quhilk  thir  lordis,  in  leid  nocht  to  layne  it, 

He  besocht  of  sucour,  as  souerane  in  saile, 
That  thai  wald  pray  Natur  his  prent  to  renewe  ;      205 
For  it  was  hailc  his  behest, 
At  thar  alleris  request, 
Mycht  dame  Nature  arrest 
Of  him  for  to  rewe. 

Then  rewit  thir  riallis  of  that  rath  mane,  300 

Baith  spirituale  and  temperale  that  kcnd  the  case; 

And,  considerand  the  causs,  concludit  in  ane 

That  thai  wald  Nature  beseike,  of  hir  gret  grace, 


HOLLAND.  73 

To  discend  that  samyn  hour  as  thar  souerane, 

At  thar  allaris  instance,  in  that  ilk  place.  305 

The  Tape  and  the  patriarkis,  the  prelatis  ilkane, 

Thus  pray  thai  as  penitentis,  and  all  that  thar  was. 
Quhar  throw  dame  Natur  the  trast  discendit  that  tyde, 
At  thar  haile  instance  ; 
Quhom  thai  ressaif  with  reuerens,  310 

And  bowsorae  obeysance, 
As  goddess  and  gyde. 

"  It  nedis  nocht,"  quoth  Natur,  "  to  renewe  oucht 

Of  }our  entent  in  this  tyde,  or  forthir  to  tell ; 
I    wait   ^our   will,   and    quhat   way    }e   wald    that  I 
wrocht  315 

To  reforme  the  Howlat  of  faltis  full  fell. 
It  sail  be  done  as  }e  deine,  dreid  ^e  richt  nocht : 

I  consent  in  this  caise  to  ^our  counsall, 
Sen  my  self  for  2our  saike  hiddir  has  socht, 

3e  sail  be  specialy  sped  or  ^e  mayr  spell.  320 

Now  ilka  foull  of  the  firth  a  fedder  sail  ta, 
And  len  the  Howlat,  sen  }e 
Off  him  haue  sic  pete, 
And  I  sail  gar  thaim  samyn  be 

To  growe  or  I  ga."  325 

Than  ilk  foule  of  his  flicht  a  feddir  has  tane, 

And  lent  to  the  Howlat  in  hast,  hartlie  but  hone. 

Dame  Natur  the  nobillest  nechit  in  ane, 

For  to  ferine  this  federem,  and  dewly  has  done ; 

Gart  it  ground,  and  growe  gayly  agane,  330 

On  the  samyn  Howlat,  semely  and  sone. 


74  HOLLAND. 

Tli an  was  he  schand  of  his  schape,  and  his  schroude 
schane 
Offalkyn  colour  most  cleir  beldit  abone: 
The  farest  foule  of  the  firth,  and  hendest  of  hewes ; 

So  clene  and  so  colourlyke,  335 

That  no  bird  was  him  lyke 
Fro  Burone  to  Berwike 
Wnder  the  bewes. 

Tims  was  the  Howlat  in  herde  herely  at  hicht, 

Flour  of  all  fowlis,  throw  fedderis  so  fair ;  340 

He  lukit  to  his  lykame  that  lemyt  so  licht, 

So  propir  plesand  of  prent,  provde  to  repar  : 
He  thocht  him  maid  on  the  mold  makles  of  mycht, 
As  souerane  him  awne  self,  throw  bewte  he  bair, 
Counterpalace  to  the  Pape,  our  priucis,  I  plicht;     345 

So  hiely  he  hyit  him  in  Luciferis  lair, 
That  all  the  fowlis  of  the  firth  he  defowlit  syne. 
Thus  leit  he  no  man  his  peir ; 
Gif  ony  nech  vvald  him  neir, 
He  bad  tham  rebaldis  orere  350 

With  a  ruyne. 

"  The  Pape,  and  the  patriarkis,  and  princis  of  prow, 

I  am  cummyn  of  thar  kyn,  be  cosingage  knawin  ; 
So  fair  is  my  fetherem,  I  haf  no  falowe, 

My   schrowde    and    my   schene    weid   schir   to   be 
schawin."  355 

All  birdis  he  rebalkit  that  wald  him  nocht  bowe ; 

In  breth  as  a  batall  wricht  full  of  host  blawin, 
With  vnloveable  latis  nocht  till  allow  : 

Thus  wycit  he  the  waleutync  thraly  and  thrawin, 


HOLLAND.  75 


That  all  the  fowlis  with  assent  assemblit  agane         3G0 
And  plen^eit  to  Natur 
Of  this  intolerable  iniur, 
How  the  Howlat  him  bure 
So  hie  and  so  haltane. 

So  porapos,  impertinat,  and  reprovable,  365 

In  exces,  our  arrogant,  thir  birdis  ilkane 
Besocht  Natur  to  cess  that  vnsufferable. 

Thar  with  that  lady  a  lyte  leuch  hir  allane : 
"  My  first  making,"  quoth  scho,  "  was  vnamendaTjle, 

Thocht  I  alterit,  as  ^e  all  askit  in  ane ;  370 

3 it  sail  I  preif  }ow  to  pleis,  sen  it  is  possible." 

Scho  callit  the  Howlat  in  haist  that  was  so  haltane : 
"  Thy  pryde,"  quod  the  Princess,  "  approchis  our  hie, 
Lyke  Lucifer  in  estaite ; 
And  sen  thow  art  so  elate,  375 

As  the  Ewangelist  wrait, 
Thow  sail  lawe  be. 

"  The  rent  and  the  ritchess  that  thow  in  rang, 

Was  of  othir  mennis  all,  and  nocht  of  thi  awne ; 
Now  ilk  fowle  his  awne  fedder  sail  agane  fang,         380 

And  mak  the  catif  of  kynd,  till  him  self  knawin." 
As  scho  has  demyt  thai  haf  done,  thraly  in  thrang. 

Thar  with  Dame  Natur  has  to  the  hevin  drawin ; 
Ascendit  sone,  in  my  sicht,  with  solace  and  sang ; 

And  ilk  fowle  tuke  the  flicht,  schortly  to  schawin,  385 
Held  hame  to  thar  hant  and  thar  herbery, 

Quhar  thai  war  wont  to  remane  ; 
All  thir  gudly  ar  gane, 


76  HOLLAND. 

And  thar  levit  allano 

The  Howlat  and  I.  390 

Than  this  Howlat  hidowis  of  hair  and  of  hydc, 

Put  first  fro  p  overte  to  pryce,  and  princis  awne 
per; 
Syne  degradit  fra  grace,  for  his  gret  pryde, 

Bannit  bitterly  his  birth,  bailefull  in  beir. 
He  welterit,  he  wrythit,  he  waryit  the  tyde  395 

That  he  was  wrocht  in  this  warld  wofull  in  weir: 
He  crepillit,  he  crengit,  he  carfully  cryd, 
He  solpit,  he  sorowit,  in  sighingis  seir. 
He  said,  "  Allace !  I  am  lost,  lathest  of  all, 

Bysyn  in  baile  beft,  400 

I  may  be  a  sampill  heir  eft 
That  pryde  neuer  }it  left 
His  feir,  but  a  fall. 

"I  couth  not  won  in  to  welth,  wretch  wast, 

I  was  so  wantoun  of  will,  my  werdis  ar  wan  ;        405 
Thus  for  my  hicht  I  am  hurt,  and  harmit  in  haist, 

Cairfull  and  caytif  for  craft  that  I  can  : 
Quhen  I  was  hewit  as  heir  allthir  hieast, 

Fra  rule,  ressoun,  and  richt,  redles  I  ran  ; 
Tharfor  I  ly  in  the  lyme,  lympit,  lathast;  410 

Now  mark  }our  mirour  be  me,  all  maner  of  man  : 
3e  princis,  prelattis  of  pryde  for  penneis  and  prowe 
That  pullis  the  pure  ay, 
3e  sail  syng  as  I  say, 

All  }our  welth  will  away,  415 

Thus  I  warne  }ow. 


HOLLAND.  77 

"  Think  how  bair  thow  was  borne,  and  bair  ay  will  be, 

For  oucht  that  sedis  of  thi  self  in  ony  sessoun  ; 
Thy  cude,  thy  clathis,  nor  thi  cost  cnmmis  not  of  the, 
Bot  of  the  frnte  of  the  erd  and  Godis  fusoun :       420 
Quhen  ilk  thing  has  the  awne,  suthly  we  se 

Thy  nakit  cors  bot  of  clay,  a  foule  carioun, 
Hatit  and  hawles ;  quhar  of  art  thow  hie  ? 

We  cum  pure,  we  gang  pure,  baith  king  and  coiu- 
moun. 
Bot  thow  reule  the  richtuis,  thi  roume  sail  orere."   425 
Thus  said  the  Howlat  on  hicht. 
Now  God,  for  his  gret  micht, 
Set  our  sawlis  in  sicht 
Of  Sanctis  so  sere. 

The  Buhe  of  the  Howlat,  St.  1-16,  60-76. 


78  HENRY    THE    MINSTREL. 


HENRY  THE    MINSTREL, 


Of  the  life  of  Eenry  the  Minstrel  scarce  anything  is  known.  John  Mair 
says  that  lie  was  blind  from  his  birth,  and  composed  his  Hunk  of  Wallace 
ahoul  the  time  of  his  (Mair's)  infancy,  which  would  be  about  the  middle 
of  the  fifteenth  century.  We  are  further  told  th;it  be  travelled  ahout,  recit- 
ing his  poems  at  the  houses  of  the  rich  and  noble,  who,  in  return,  provided 
for  his  needs.  James  IV.  also  gave  hiiu  money  at  various  times,  the  latest 
recorded  gift  being  iu  1492. 


Adventure  at  Irwlne  Water. 

So  on  a  tym  he  desyrit  to  play, 
Iu  Aperill  the  xxiij  day, 
Till  Erewyn  wattir  fysche  to  tak  he  went ; 
Sic  fantasye  fell  in  his  entent. 

To  leide  his  net,  a  child  furth  with  him  }eid ;  5 

But  he,  or  nowne,  was  in  a  fellowne  dreid. 
His  suerd  he  left,  so  did  he  neuir  agayne ; 
It  dide  him  gud,  suppos  he  sufleryt  payne. 
Off  that  labour  as  than  he  was  nocht  sle : 
Happy  he  was,  tuk  fysche  haboundanle.  10 

Or  of  the  day  x  hours  our  couth  pas, 
Ridand  thar  come,  ner  by  quhar  Wallace  was, 
The  lorde  Persye,  was  captaue  than  off  Ayr; 
Era  thine  he  turnde  and  couth  to  Glaskow  fair. 
Part  of  the  court  had  Wallace  labour  seyne,  15 

Till  him  raid  v  cled  in  to  ganand  greyne, 
And  said  sone ;  "  Scot,  Martyns  fysche  we  wald  hawe." 


HENRY    THE    MINSTREL.  79 

Wallace  meklye  agayne  ansuer  him  gawe ; 

"  It  war  resone,  me  think,  yhe  suld  haif  part : 

Waith  suld  be  delt,  in  all  place,  with  fre  hart."         20 

He  bad  his  child,  "  Gyff  thaim  of  our  waithyng." 

The  Sothroun  said  ;  "  As  now  of  thi  delyng 

We  will  nocht  tak,  thow  wald  giff  ws  our  small." 

He  lychtyt  doun  and  fra  the  child  tuk  all. 

Wallas  said  than  ;  "  Gentill  men  gif  }e  be,  25 

Leiff  ws  sum  part,  we  pray  for  cheryte. 

Ane  agyt  knycht  serwis  our  lady  to  day  ; 

Gud  frend,  leiff  part  and  tak  nocht  all  away." 

"  Thow  sail  haiff  leiff  to  fysche  and  tak  the  ma ; 

All  this  forsuth  sail  in  our  flyttyng  ga.  30 

We  serff  a  lord  ;  thir  fysche  sail  till  him  gang." 

Wallace  ansuerd,  said  ;  "  Thow  art  in  the  wrang." 

"  Quham  dowis  thow,  Scot  ?  in  faith  thow  serwis  a  blaw." 

Till  him  he  ran,  and  out  a  suerd  can  draw. 

Wilhham  was  wa  he  had  na  wappynis  thar,  35 

Bot  the  poutstaff  the  quhilk  in  hand  he  bar. 

Wallas  with  it  fast  on  the  cheek  him  tuk 

Wyth  so  gud  will,  quhill  of  his  feet  he  schuk. 

The  suerd  flaw  fra  him  a  fur  breid  on  the  land. 

Wallas  was  glaid,  and  hynt  it  soue  in  hand  ;  40 

And  with  the  swerd  awkwart  he  him  gawe 

Wndyr  the  hat,  his  crage  in  sondre  drawe. 

Be  that  the  layff  lychtyt  about  Wallas ; 

He  had  no  helpe,  only  bot  Goddis  grace. 

On  athir  side  full  fast  on  him  thai  dange ;  45 

Gret  perell  was  giff  thai  had  lestyt  lang. 

Apone  the  hede  in  gret  ire  he  strak  ane ; 

The  scherand  suerd  glaid  to  the  colar  bane. 


80  HENRY    THE   MINSTREL. 

Ane  othir  on  the  arme  he  liitt  so  hardely, 

Quhill  hand  and  suerd  bathe  on  the  feld  ean  ly.         50 

The  tothir  twa  fled  to  thar  hors  agayne ; 

He  stekit  him  was  last  apon  the  playne. 

Thre  slew  he  thar,  twa  fled  with  all  thair  niycht 

Eftir  thar  lord ;  bot  he  was  out  off  sicht, 

Takand  the  mure,  or  he  and  thai  couth  twyne.  55 

Till  him  thai  raid  onon,  or  thai  wald  blyne, 

And  cryit;  "Lord,  abide;  your  men  ar  martyrit  doun 

Rycht  cruelly,  her  in  this  fals  regioun. 

V  of  our  court  her  at  the  wattir  baid, 

Fysche  for  to  bryng,  thocht  it  na  profyt  maid.  GO 

We  ar  chapyt,  bot  in  feyld  slayne  are  thre." 

The  lord  speryt ;  "  How  mony  mycht  thai  be?  " 

"  We  saw  bot  ane  that  has  discumfyst  ws  all." 

Than  lewch  he  lowde,  and  said  ;  "  Foule  mot  yow  fall ; 

Sen  ane  yow  all  has  put  to  confusioun.  65 

Quha  menys  it  maist,  the  dewyll  of  hell  him  droun  ; 

This  day  for  me,  in  faith,  he  beis  nocht  socht." 

Quhen  Wallas  thus  this  worth!  werk  had  wrocht, 

Thar  hors  he  tuk,  and  ger  that  lewyt  was  thar ; 

Gaif  our  that  crafft,  he  ^eid  to  fysche  no  mar ;  70 

Went  till  his  eyme,  and  tauld  him  of  this  drede. 

And  he  for  wo  weyle  ner  worthit  to  weide ; 

And  said ;  "  Sone,  thir  tythings  sytts  me  sor ; 

And  be  it  knawin,  thow  may  tak  scaith  tharfor." 

"  Wncle,"  he  said,  "  I  will  no  langar  bide ;  75 

Thir  Southland  hors  latt  se  gif  I  can  ride." 

Than,  bot  a  child,  him  seruice  for  to  mak, 

Hys  emys  sonnys  he  wald  nocht  with  him  tak. 

This  gude  knycht  said  ;  "  Deyr  cusyng  pray  I  the, 

(Juhen  thow  wantts  gud,  cum  fech  ynewch  fra  me."   80 


HENRY   THE    MINSTREL.  81 

Syluir  and  gold  he  gert  on  to  him  geyff. 
Wallace  inclynys,  and  gudely  tnk  his  leyff. 


Adventure  in  Gash  Forest. 

The  dyrk  regioun  apperaud  wondyr  fast, 
In  Nouember  when  October  was  past, 
The  day  faillit/throu  the  rycht  cours  worthit  schort;  85 
Till  banyst  men  that  is  no  gret  comfort, 
With  thair  power  in  pethis  worthis  gang ; 
Hewy  thai  think  quhen  at  the  nycht  is  lang. 
Thus  Wallas  saw  the  nychtis  messynger; 
Phebus  had  lost  hys  fyry  bemys  cler.  90 

Out  of  the  wood  thai  durst  nocht  turn  that  tyd, 
For  aduersouris  that  in  thair  way  wald  byde. 
Wallace  thaira  tauld  that  new  wer  wes  on  hand, 
The  Inglismen  was  off  the  toune  cummande. 
The  dure  thai  brak,  quhar  thai  trowyt  Wallace  was  95 
Quhen  thai  him  myst,  thai  bownyt  thaim  to  pass. 
In  this  gret  noyis  the  woman  gat  away, 
But  to  quhat  steide  I  can  nocht  graithlye  say. 
The  Sothroun  socht  rycht  sadlye  fra  that  stede 
Throu  the  South  Ynch,  and  fand  thar  twa  men  dede.  100 
Thai  knew  be  that  Wallace  was  in  the  strenth. 
About  the  park  thai  set  on  breid  and  lenth, 
With  vi  hundreth  weill  graithit  in  thar  armes, 
All  likly  men,  to  wrek  thaim  of  thar  harmes. 
A  hundreth  men  chai'git,  in  armes  Strang,  105 

To  kepe  a  hunde  that  thai  had  thaim  amang ; 
Im  Gyllisland  thar  was  that  brachell  brede, 
6 


82  HENRY   THE    MINSTRKL. 

Sekyr  off  sent  to  folow  thaim  at  flede. 

So  was  scho  vsyt  on  Esk  and  on  Ledaill ; 

Quhill  scho  gat  blude  no  fleyng  mycht  awaill.  110 

Than  said  thai  all,  Wallace  mycht  nocht  away, 

He  suld  be  tharis  for  ocht  at  he  do  may. 

The  ost  thai  delt  in  diuers  part  that  tyde. 

Schyr  Garrat  Herroun  in  the  staill  can    bide ; 

Schyr  Jhon  Butler  the  range  he  tuk  him  till,  115 

With  thre  hundre  quhilk  war  of  hardy  will ; 

In  to  the  woode  apon  Wallace  thai  }eid. 

The  worthi  Scottis  that  wer  in  mekill  dreid, 

Socht  till  a  place  for  till  haiff  yschet  out, 

And  saw  the  staill  enwerounyt  thaim  about.  120 

Agayne  thai  went  with  hydwys  strakis  Strang, 

Gret  noyis  and  dyne  was  rayssit  thaim  amang. 

Thar  cruell  deide  rycht  merwalus  to  ken, 

Quhen  xl  macht  agayne  thre  hundyr  men. 

Wallace  so  weill  apon  him  tuk  that  tide,  125 

Throw  the  gret  preys  he  maid  a  way  full  wide ; 

Helpand  the  Scottis  with  his  der  worthi  hand  : 

Fdl  faymen  he  left  fey  vpon  the  land. 

5het  Wallas  lost  xv  in  to  that  steid  ; 

And  xl  men  of  Sothroun  part  war  dede.  130 

The  Butleris  folk  so  fruschit  was  in  deid, 

The  hardy  Scottis  to  the  strenthis  throw  thaim  ^eide. 

On  to  Tay  side  thai  hasty t  thaim  full  fast, 

In  will  thai  war  the  wattir  till  haiff  past. 

Halff  couth  nocht  swym  that  than  with  Wallas  was ;  135 

And  he  wald  nocht  leiff  ane,  and  fra  thaim  pass. 

Bettir  him  thocht  in  perell  for  to  be 

Wpon  the  land,  than  wilfully  to  se 

His  men  droun,  quhar  reskew  mycht  be  nayne  ; 


BENRY    THE    MINSTREL.  83 

Agayne  in  ire  to  the  feild  ar  thai  gayne.  140 

Butler  be  than  had  putt  his  men  in  ray, 

On  thaim  he  sett  with  ane  awfull  hard  assay, 

On  athir  side  with  wapynnys  stiff  off' steill. 

Wallace  agayne  no  frendschipe  lett  thaim  feill. 

Bot  do  or  de,  thai  wist  no  mor  socour  ;  1  45 

Thus  fend  thai  lang  in  to  that  stalwart  stour. 

The  Scottis  chyftayne  was  ^ong,  and  in  a  rage, 

Vsyt  in  wer,  and  fechtis  with  curage. 

He  saw  his  men  off  Sothroun  tak  gret  wrang, 

Thaim  to  raweng  all  dreidles  can  he  gang:  150 

For  many  of  thaim  war  bledand  wondyr  sar. 

He  couth  nocht  se  no  help  apperand  thar, 

Bot  thair  chyftayne  war  putt  out  off  thair  gait ; 

The  bryme  Butler  so  bauldlye  maid  debait. 

Throu  the  gret  preys  Wallace  to  him  socht :  155 

His  awful  deid  he  eschewit  as  he  mocht. 

Vndyr  ane  ayk  wyth  men  about  him  set : 

Wallace  mycht  nocht  a  graith  straik  on  him  gett : 

>hett  schede  he  thaim,  a  full  royd  slope  was  maid. 

The  Scottis  went  out,  na  langar  thar  abaid.  160 

Stewyn  off  Irland,  quhilk  hardy  was  and  wicht, 

To  helpe  Wallace  he  did  gret  preys  and  mycht ; 

With  trew  Kerle,  douchty  in  mony  deid  ; 

Wpon  the  grounde  feill  Sothroun  gert  thai  bleid. 

Sexty  war  slayne  of  Inglismen  in  that  place,  165 

And  ix  off  Scottis  thair  tynt  was  throuch  that  cace. 

Butleris  men  so  stroyit  war  that  tide, 

In  to  the  stour  he  wald  na  langar  bide. 

To  get  supple  he  socht  on  to  the  staill : 

Thus  lost  he  thar  a  hundreth  of  gret  waill.  170 

As  thai  war  best  arayand  Butleris  rout, 


84  HENRY    THE    MTNSTREL. 

Betuex  parteys  than  Wallace  ischit  out ; 

xvi  with  him,  thai  graithit  thaim  to  ga ; 

Off  all  his  men  he  had  lewyt  no  ma. 

The  Inglismen  has  myssyt  hym  ;  in  hy  175 

The  hund  thai  tuk,  and  folowit  haistely. 

At  the  Gask  woode  full  fayne  he  wald  haiff  beyne ; 

Bot  this  sloth  brache,  quhilk  sekyr  was  and  keyne, 

On  Wallace  fute  folowit  so  felloune  fast, 

Quhill  in  thar  sicht  thai  prochit  at  the  last.  180 

Thar  hors  war  wicht,  had  soiorned  weill  and  lang. 

To  the  next  woode  twa  myil  thai  had  to  gang, 

Off  vpwith  erde  ;  thai  }eid  with  all  thair  mycht ; 

Gud  hope  thai  had  for  it  was  ner  the  nycht. 

Fawdoun  tyryt,  and  said,  he  mycht  nocht  gang.       185 

Wallace  was  wa  to  leyff  him  in  that  thrang. 

He  bade  him  ga,  and  said  the  strenth  was  ner ; 

Bot  he  tharfor  wald  nocht  fastir  him  ster. 

Wallace  in  ire  on  the  crag  can  him  ta 

With  his  gud  suerd,  and  strak  the  hed  him  fra.        190 

Dreidless  to  ground  derfly  he  duschit  dede. 

Fra  him  he  lap,  and  left  him  in  that  stede. 

Sum  demys  it  to  ill,  and  othyr  sum  to  gud  ; 

And  I  say  her,  into  thir  termys  rude, 

Bettir  it  was  he  did,  as  thinkis  me.  195 

Fyrst,  to  the  hunde  it  mycht  gret  stoppyn  be. 

Als  Fawdoun  was  haldyn  at  suspicioun  ; 

For  he  was  haldyn  of  brokill  complexioun  ; 

Rycht  stark  he  was,  and  had  bot  litill  gayne. 

Thus  Wallace  wist :  had  he  beyne  left  allayne,        200 

And  he  war  fals,  to  enemyss  he  wald  ga ; 

Gyff  he  war  trew,  the  Sothroun  wald  him  sla. 

Mycht  he  do  ocht  bot  tyne  him  as  it  was? 


HENRY   THE   MINSTREL.  85 

Fra  this  question  now  schortlye  will  I  pass. 

Deyine  as  yhe  lest,  ye  that  best  can  and  may  ;         205 

I  bott  rahers  as  my  autour  will  say. 

Sternys,  be  than,  began  for  till  apper, 
The  Inglismen  was  cummand  wondyr  ner ; 
V  hundreth  haill  was  in  thair  chewalry : 
To  the  next  strenth  than  Wallace  couth  him  hy.     210 
Stewyn  off  Irland,  wnwitting  of  Wallas, 
And  gud  Kerle,  baid  still  ner  hand  that  place, 
At  the  mur  syde  in  till  a  scrogghy  slaid, 
Be  est  Dipplyne  quhar  thai  this  tary  maid. 
Fawdoun  was  left  besid  thaim  on  the  land ;  215 

The  power  come,  and  sodeynly  him  fand : 
For  thair  sloith  hund  the  graith  gait  till  him  ^eid, 
Off  othir  trade  scho  tuk  as  than  no  heid. 
The  sloith  stoppyt,  at  Fawdoun  still  scho  stude ; 
Nor  forthir  scho  wald,  fra  tyme  scho  fand  the  blud.    220 
Inglismen  dempt,  for  ellis  thai  couth  nocht  tell, 
Bot  at  the  Scottis  had  fochtyn  amang  thaim  sell. 
Rycht  wa  thai  war  that  losyt  was  thair  sent. 
Wallace  twa  men  amang  the  ost  in  went ; 
Dissemblit  weylle,  that  no  man  suld  thaim  ken,       225 
Rycht  in  affer,  as  thai  war  Inglismen. 
Kerle  beheld  on  to  the  bauld  Heroun, 
Vpon  Fawdoun  as  he  was  lukand  doune, 
A  suttell  straik  wpwart  him  tuk  that  tide, 
Wndir  the  chokkeis  the  grounden  suerd  gart  glid,    230 
By  the  gude  mayle  bathe  hals  and  his  crag  bayne 
In  sondyr  straik  ;  thus  endyt  that  cheftayne. 
To  grounde  he  fell,  feile  folk  about  him  thrang, 
Tresoune !  thai  criyt,  tratouris  was  thaim  amang. 


86  HENRY   THE    MINSTREL. 

Kerlye  with  that  fled  out  sone  at  a  side;  235 

His  falow  Stewyn  than  thocht  no  tyme  to  bide. 

The  fray  was  gret,  and  fast  away  thai  ^eid, 

Lawch  towart  Ern  ;  thus  chapyt  thai  of  dreid. 

Butler  for  woo  off  vvepyng  mycht  nocht  stynt. 

Thus  raklesly  this  gud  knycht  [haiff]  thai  tynt.      240 

Thai  demyt  all  that  it  was  Wallace  men, 

Or  ellis  him  self,  thocht  thai  couth  nocht  him  ken. 

"  He  is  rycht  ner,  we  sail  him  haif  but  faill ; 

This  febill  woode  may  him  litill  awaill." 

xl  thar  past  agayne  to  Sanct  Jhonstoun,  245 

With  this  dede  cors,  to  berysing  maid  it  boune. 

Partyt  thar  men,  syne  diners  wayis  raid  ; 

A  gret  power  at  Dipplyn  still  thar  baid. 

Till  Dawryoch  the  Butler  past  but  let ; 

At  syndry  furdis  the  gait  thai  wmbeset ;  250 

To  kepe  the  wode  quhill  it  was  day  [thai]  thocht. 

As  AVallace  thus  in  the  thik  forrest  socht, 

For  his  twa  men  in  mynd  he  had  gret  payne ; 

He  wist  nocht  weill  girt'  thai  war  tayne  or  slayne, 

Or  chapyt  haile  be  ony  jeperte.  255 

xiii  war  left  with  him,  no  ma  had  he. 

In  the  Gask  hall  thair  lugyng  haiff  thai  tayne  ; 

Fyr  gat  thai  sone,  bot  meyt  than  had  thai  mine. 

Twa  scheipe  thai  tuk  besid  thaim  of  a  fauld, 

Ordanyt  to  soupe  in  to  that  sembly  hauld  ;  260 

Graithit  in  haist  sum  fude  for  thaim  to  dycht: 

So  hard  thai  blaw  rude  hornys  wpon  hycht. 

Twa  sende  he  furth  to  luk  quhat  it  mycht  be; 

Thai  baid  rycht  lang,  and  no  tithingis  herd  he. 

Bot  boustous  noyis  so  brymly  blowand  fast :  265 

So  othir  twa  in  to  the  woode  furth  past. 


HENRY    THE    MINSTREL.  87 

Nane  come  agayne,  bot  boustously  can  blaw. 

In  to  arret  ire  he  send  thai  in  furth  on  raw. 

Quhen  he  allayne  Wallace  was  lewyt  thar, 

The  awfull  blast  aboundyt  mekill  mayr.  270 

Than  trowit  he  weill  thai  had  his  lugyng  seyne ; 

His  suerd  he  drew  of  nobill  mettall  keyne, 

Syne  furth  he  went  quhar  at  he  hard  the  home. 

With  out  the  dur  Fawdoun  was  him  beforn, 

As  till  his  sycht,  his  awne  hed  in  his  hand  ;  275 

A  croys  he  maid,  quhen  he  saw  him  so  stand. 

At  Wallace  in  the  hed  he  swaket  thar ; 

And  he  in  haist  sone  hynt  [it]  by  the  hair, 

Syne  out  agayne  at  him  he  couth  it  cast ; 

In  till  his  hart  he  was  gretlye  agast.  280 

Rycht  weill  he  trowit  that  was  no  spreit  of  man  ; 

It  was  some  dewill,  at  sic  malice  began, 

He  wyst  no  waill  thar  langar  for  to  bide. 

Vp  throuch  the  hall  thus  wicht  Wallace  can  glid, 

Till  a  closs  stair ;  the  burdis  raiff  in  twyne,  285 

xv  fute  large  he  lap  out  of  that  in. 

Wp  the  wattir  sodeynlye  he  couth  fair ; 

Agayne  he  blent  quhat  perauce  he  sawe  thair. 

Him  thocht  he  saw  Faudoun  that  hugly  syr; 

That  haill  hall  he  had  set  in  a  fyr ;  290 

A  gret  raftre  he  had  in  till  his  hand. 

Wallace  as  than  no  langar  walde  he  stand, 

Off  his  gud  men  full  gret  meruaill  had  he, 

How  thai  war  tynt  throuch  his  feyle  fantase. 

Traistis  rycht  weill  all  this  was  suth  in  deide,  295 

Supposs  that  it  no  poynt  be  of  the  creide. 

Power  thai  had  with  Lucifer  that  fell, 

The  tyme  quhen  he  partyt  fra  hewyn  to  hell. 


88  HENRY   THE    MINSTREL. 

Be  sic  myscheiff  giff  his  men  mycht  be  lost, 

Drownyt  or  slayne  amang  the  Inglis  ost ;  300 

Or  quhat  it  was  in  liknes  of  Faudoun, 

Quhilk  brocht  his  men  to  suddand  conf'usioun  ; 

Or  gif  the  man  endyt  in  ewill  entent 

Sum  wikkit  spreit  agayne  for  him  present; 

I  can  nocht  spek  of  sic  diuinite ;  305 

To  clerkis  I  will  lat  all  sic  materia  be : 

Bot  of  Wallace,  furth  I  will  yow  tell. 

Quhen  he  wes  went  of  that  perell  fell, 

}eit  glaid  wes  he  that  he  had  chapyt  swa: 

Bot  for  his  men  gret  murnyng  can  he  ma;  310 

Flayt  by  him  self  to  the  Makar  off  buffe, 

Quhy  he  sufferyt  he  suld  sic  paynys  pruff. 

He  wyst  nocht  weill  giff  it  wes  Goddis  will, 

Kycht  or  wrang  his  fortoun  to  fullfill : 

Hade  he  plesd  God,  he  trowit  it  mycht  nocht  be      315 

He  suld  him  thoill  in  sic  perplexite. 

Bot  gret  curage  in  his  mynd  euir  draiff, 

Off  Inglismen  thinkand  amend  is  to  haiff. 


Visit  to  the  English  Camp. 

Furth  fra  his  men  than  Wallace  rakit  rycht ; 

Till  him  he  cald  Schyr  Jhon  Tynto  the  knycht,       320 

And  leit  him  witt,  to  wesy  him  selff  wald  ga 

The  Inglis  ost,  and  bad  him  tell  na  ma, 

(^uhat  euir  thai  speryt,  quhill  that  he  come  agayne. 

Wallace  dysgysit  thus  bownyt  our  the  playne. 


HENRY    THE    MINSTREL.  89 

Betwix  Cultir  and  Bygar  as  he  past,  325 

He  was  war  quhar  a  werk  man  come  fast, 

Dryfande  a  mere,  and  pychars  had  he  to  sell. 

"  Gud  freynd,"  he  said,  "  in  treuth  will  thow  me  tell, 

With  this  chaffar  quhar  passis  thow  treuly." 

"  Til  ony,  Schyr,  quha  likis  for  to  by  ;  330 

It  is  my  crafft,  and  I  wald  [sell]  thaim  fayne." 

"  I  will  thaim  by,  sa  God  me  saifffra  payne. 

Quhat  price  lat  her,  I  will  tak  thaim  ilkayne." 

'  Bot  half  a  mark,  for  sic  prys  haiff  I  tayne.' 

"  xx*y  shillingis,"  Wallace  said,  "  thow  sail  haiff.      335 

I  will  haif  mer,  pycharis  and  als  the  laiff. 

Thi  gowne  and  hois  in  haist  thow  put  off  syne, 

And  mak  a  chang,  for  I  sail  geyff  the  myne ; 

And  thi  aid  hud,  because  it  is  thred  bar." 

The  man  wendweyll  that,  he  had  scornyt  him  thar.  340 

"  Do,  tary  nocht,  it  is  suth  I  the  say." 

The  man  kest  off  his  febill  weid  off  gray, 

And  Wallace  his,  and  payit  siluer  in  hand. 

"  Pass  on,"  he  said,  "thou  art  a  proud  merchand." 

The  gown  and  hois  in  clay  that  claggit  was,  345 

The  hud  heklyt,  and  maid  him  for  to  pass. 

The  qwhipe  he  tuk,  syne  furth  the  mar  can  call ; 

Atour  a  bray  the  omast  pot  gert  fall, 

Brak  on  the  ground.     The  man  lewch  at  his  fair  ; 

'  Bot  thow  be  war,  thow  tynys  off  thi  chaiffair.'         350 

The  sone  be  than  was  passit  out  of  sicht, 

The  day  our  went,  and  cummyn  was  the  nycht. 

Amang  Sotheroun  full  besyly  he  past ; 

On  athir  side  his  eyne  he  gan  to  cast, 

Quhar  lordis  lay,  and  had  their  lugeyng  maid ;        355 

The  kingis  pa^one,  quhar  on  the  libardis  baid, 


90  HENRY    THE    MINSTREL. 

Spyand  lull  fast,  quhar  his  awaill  suld  be, 

And  couth  weyll  luk  and  wynk,  with  the  ta  e. 

Sum  scornyt  him,  sum  "  gleid  carll "  cald  him  thar; 

Agrewit  thai  war  for  thair  herroldis  mysfayr.  360 

Sum  sperd  at  him,  how  [he]  said  off  the  best. 

"  For  xl  pens,"  he  said,  "  quhill  thai  may  lest." 

Sum  brak  a  pott,  sum  pyrlit  at  his  e. 

Wallace  fled  out,  and  prewale  let  thaim  be : 

On  till  his  ost  agayne  he  past  full  rycht.  305 

His  men  be  than  had  tane  Tynto  the  knycht; 

Schyr  Jhon  the  Grayme  gert  bynd  him  wondyr  fast, 

For  he  wyst  weill  he  was  with  Wallace  last. 

Sum  bad  byrn  him,  sum  hang  him  in  a  cord, 

Thai  swor  that  he  had  dissawit  thair  lord.  370 

Wallace  be  this  was  entryt  thaim  amang  ; 

Till  him  he  ^eid,  and  wald  nocht  tary  lang. 

Syne  he  gart  lous  him  off  thai  bandis  new, 

And  said,  he  was  baith  suffer,  wys  and  trew. 

To  souper  sone  thai  bownd  but  mar  abaid.  375 

He  tald  to  thaim  quhat  market  he  had  maid  ; 

And  how  at  he  the  Sotheroun  saw  full  weill. 

Schyr  Jhon  Grayme  displessit  was  sumdeill, 

And  said  till  him  ;  "  Nocht  chyftaynlik  it  was, 

Throw  wilfulnes,  in  sic  perell  to  pas."  380 

Wallace  ansuerd  ;  "  Or  we  wyn  Scotland  fre 

Baith  }e  and  I  in  mar  perell  mon  be, 

And  mony  othir,  the  quhilk  full  worthi  is." 


HENRY   THE   MINSTREL.  91 


Death  of  Wallace. 

On  Wednysday  the  fals  Sotheroun  furth  brocht, 

Till  martyr  him  as  thai  befor  had  wrocht.  385 

Rycht  suth  it  is,  a  martyr  was  Wallace, 

As  Osauold,  Edmunt,  Eduuard,  and  Thomas. 

Off"  men  in  armes  led  him  a  full  gret  rout. 

With  a  bauld  spreit  gud  Wallace  blent  about : 

A  preyst  he  askyt  for  God  at  deit  on  tre.  390 

King  Eduuard  than  cummandyt  his  clerge, 

And  said  ;  "  I  charge,  apayn  off  loss  off  lywe, 

Nane  be  sa  bauld  }on  tyrand  for  to  schrywe. 

He  has  rong  lang  in  contrar  my  hienace." 

A  blyst  byschop  sone,  present  in  that  plac«,  395 

Off  Canterbury  he  than  was  rychtwys  lord, 

Agayne  the  king  he  maid  this  rycht  record  ; 

And  [said]  ;  "  My  selff  sail  her  his  confessioun, 

Gyff  I  haiff  mycht,  in  contrar  off"  thi  croun. 

And  thou  throu  force  will  stop  me  off  this  thing,      400 

I  wow  to  God,  quhilk  is  my  rychtwys  king, 

That  all  Inglaud  I  sail  her  enterdyt, 

And  make  it  knawin  thou  art  ane  herretyk. 

The  sacrament  off  kirk  I  sail  him  geift'; 

Syn  tak  thi  chos,  to  stervve  or  lat  him  leiff.  405 

It  war  mar  waill,  in  worschip  off  thi  croun, 

To  kepe  sic  ane  in  lyff  in  thi  bandoun, 

Than  all  the  land  and  gud  at  thow  has  refyd. 

Bot  cowatice  the  ay  fra  honour  drefyd. 

Thow  has  [thi]  lyff  rongyn  in  wrangwis  deid  ;  410 

That  sail  be  seyn  on  the,  or  on  thi  seid." 


92  HENRY   THE   MINSTREL. 

The  king  gert  charge  thai  suld  the  byschop  ta ; 

Bot  sad  lordys  consellyt  to  lat  him  ga. 

All  Inglismen  said,  at  his  desyr  was  rycht ; 

To  Wallace  than  he  rakyt  in  thar  sicht,  415 

And  sadly  hard  his  confessioun  till  ane  end. 

Hvmbly  to  God  his  spreyt  he  thar  coraend, 

Lawly  him  servvyt  with  hartlye  deuocioun 

Apon  his  kneis,  and  said  ane  orysoun. 

His  leyff  he  tuk,  and  to  West  monastyr  raid.  420 

The  lokmen  than  thai  bur  Wallace  but  baid 

On  till  a  place,  his  martyrdom  to  tak  ; 

For  till  his  ded  he  wald  no  forthyr  mak. 

Fra  the  fyrst  nycht  he  was  tane  in  Scotland, 

Thai  kepyt  him  in  to  that  sammyn  band.  425 

Na  thing  he  had  at  suld  haiff  doyn  him  gud ; 

Bot  Inglismen  him  seruit  off  carnaill  fud. 

Hys  warldly  lyffdesyrd  the  sustenance, 

Thocht  he  it  gat  in  contrar  off  plesance. 

Thai  xxxly  dayis  his  band  thai  durst  nocht  slaik,    430 

Quhill  he  was  bundyn  on  a  skamyll  off  ayk, 

With  irn  chen^eis  that  was  bath  stark  and  keyn. 

A  clerk  thai  set  to  her  quhat  he  wald  meyn. 

"Thow  Scot,"  he  said,  "  that  gret  wrangis  has  don, 

Tin  fatell  hour,  thow  seis,  approchis  son.  435 

Thow  suld  in  mynd  remembyr  thi  mysdeid, 

At  clerkis  may,  quhen  thai  thair  psalmis  reid 

For  Crystyn  saullis,  that  makis  thaim  to  pray, 

In  thair  nowmyr  thow  may  be  ane  off  thai ; 

For  now  thow  seis  on  fors  thou  mon  decess."  440 

Than  Wallace  said ;  "  For  all  thi  roid  rahress, 

Thow  has  na  charge,  suppos  at  I  did  myss ; 

}on  blyst  byschop  has  hecht  I  sail  haiff  blis ; 


HENRY   THE    MINSTREL.  93 

And  [I]  trew  weill,  at  God  sail  it  admyt: 

Tin  febyll  wordis  sail  nocht  my  conscience  smyt.      445 

Gonford  I  haiff  off  way  that  I  suld  gang; 

Maist  payn  I  feill  at  I  bid  her  our  lang." 

Than  said  the  clerk  ;  "  Our  king  oft  send  the  till ; 

Thow  mycht  haiffhad  all  Scotland  at  thy  will, 

To  hald  off  him,  and  cessyt  offthi  stryff;  450 

So  as  a  lord  rongyn  furth  all  thi  lyff." 

Than  Wallace  said ;  "  Thou  spekis  off  mychty  thing. 

Had  I  lestyt,  and  gottyn  ray  rychtwys  king, 

Fra  worthi  Bruce  had  rasauit  his  croun, 

I  thocht  haiff  maid  Ingland  at  his  bandoun.  455 

So  wttraly  it  suld  beyn  at  his  will, 

Quhat  plessyt  him,  to  sauff  thi  king  or  spill." 

"  Weill,"  said  this  clerk,  "  than  thow  repentis  nocht. 

Off  wykkydness  thow  has  a  felloun  thocht. 

Is  nayn  in  warld  at  has  sa  mony  slayne ;  460 

Tharfor  till  ask,  me  think  thow  suld  be  bane, 

Grace  off  our  king,  and  syn  at  his  barnage." 

Than  Wallace  smyld  [a]  littill  at  his  langage. 

"  I  grant,"  he  said,  "  part  Inglismen  I  slew 

In  my  quarrel,  me  thocht  nocht  halff  enew.  465 

I  mowyt  na  wer  bot  for  to  win  our  awin  ; 

To  God  and  man  the  rycht  full  weill  is  knawin. 

Thi  frustyr  wordis  dois  nocht  bot  taris  me ; 

I  the  commaund,  on  Goddis  halff,  lat  me  be." 

A  schyrray  gart  this  clerk  son  fra  him  pass  ;  470 

Rycht  as  thai  durst,  thai  grant  quhat  he  wald  as. 

A  Psaltyr  buk  Wallace  had  on  him  euir; 

Fra  his  childeid  fra  it  wald  nocht  deseuir ; 

Betty r  he  trowit  in  wiage  for  to  speid ; 

Bot  than  he  was  dispal^eid  off  his  weid.  475 


94  RAUF   COIL^EAR. 

This  grace  he  ast  at  lord  ClyfFurd  that  knycht, 
To  lat  him  haiff  his  Psaltyr  buk  in  sycht. 
He  gert  a  preyst  it  oppyn  befor  him  hauld, 
Quhill  thai  till  him  had  done  all  at  thai  wauld. 
Stedfast  he  red,  for  ocht  thai  did  him  thar:  480 

Feyll  Sotheroun  said,  at  Wallace  feld  na  sayr. 

Schir  William  Wallace:  I,  367-448; 

V,  1-236 ; 

VI,  429-493 ; 
XI,  1305-1402. 


RAUF    COIL3EAR. 

About  1475. 


In  the  cheiftyme  of  Charlis,  that  chosin  chiftane, 

Thair  fell  ane  ferlyfull  flan  within  thay  fellis  wide, 
Quhair  Empreonris  and  Erlis  and  vther  mony  ane 

Turnit  fra  Sanct  Thomas  befoir  the  }ule  tyde. 
Thay  past  vnto  Paris,  thay  proudest  in  pane,  5 

With  mony  Prelatis  and  Princis,  that  was  of  mekle 
pryde ; 
All  thay  went  with  the  King  to  his  worthy  wane, 

Ouir  the  feildis  sa  fair  thay  fare  be  his  syde. 
All  the  worthiest  went  in  the  morning ; 

Baith  Dukis  and  Duchepeiris,  10 

Barrounis  and  Bacheleiris, 
Mony  stout  man  steiris 

Of  town  with  the  King. 


RAUF   COIL^EAR.  05 

And  as  that  Ryal  raid  onir  the  rude  mure, 

Him  betyde  ane  tempest  that  tyme,  hard  I  tell,     15 
The  wind  blew  out  of  the  eist  stiflie  and  sture, 
The  deip  durandlie  draif  in  mony  deip  dell ; 
Sa  feirslie  fra  the  firmament,  sa  fellounlie  it  fure, 

Thair  micht  na  folk  hald  na  fute  on  the  heich  fell. 
In  point  thay  war  to  parische,  they  proudest  men  and 
pure,  20 

In  thay  wickit  wedderis  thair  wist  nane  to  dwell. 
Amang  thay  myrk  montanis  sa  madlie  thay  mer, 
Be  it  was  pry  me  of  the  day, 
Sa  wonder  hard  fure  thay 
That  ilk  ane  tuik  ane  seir  way,  25 

And  sperpellit  full  fer. 

Ithand  wedderis  of  the  eist  draif  on  sa  fast, 
It  all  to-blaisterit  and  blew  thairin  baid. 
Be  thay  disseuerit  sindrie,  midmorne  was  past ; 

Thair  wist  na  knicht  of  the  Court  quhat  way  the 
King  raid.  30 

He  saw  thair  was  na  better  bot  God  at  the  last, 
His  steid  aganis  the  storme  staluartlie  straid  ; 
He  cachit  fra  the  Court,  sic  was  his  awin  cast, 

Quhair  na  body  was  him  about,  be  fine  mylis  braid. 
In  thay  montanis,  i-wis,  he  wox  all  will,  35 

In  wickit  wedderis  and  wicht, 
Amang  thay  montanis  on  hicht: 
Be  that  it  drew  to  the  nicht 
The  Kyng  lykit  ill. 

Euill  lykand  was  the  Kyng  it  nichtit  him  sa  lait,      40 
And  he  na  harberie  had  for  his  behufe  ; 


96  RA  UK   COIL^EAR. 

Sa  come  thair  ane  cant  Carll  chachand  the  gait, 
With  ane  capill  and  twa  creillis  cuplit  abufe. 
The  King  carpit  to  the  Carll  withoutVn  debait, 

"  Schir,  tell  me  thy  richt  name,  for  the  Rude  lufe:"  45 
He  sayis, "  men  callis  me  Rauf  Coi^ear,  as  I  weill  wait ; 

I  leid  my  life  in  this  land  with  mekle  vnrufe, 
Baith  tyde  and  tyme,  in  all  my  trauale ; 
Hine  ouir  seuin  mylis  I  dwell, 
And  leidis  coilis  to  sell ;  50 

Sen  thow  speiris,  I  the  tell 
All  the  suith  hale." 

"  Sa  mote  I  thrife,"  said  the  King,  "  I  speir  for  nane  ill ; 
Thow  semis  ane  nobill  fallow,  thy  answer  is  sa  fyne." 
"Forsuith,"   said  the  Coil^ear,  "  traist   quhen    thow 
will,  55 

For  I  trow,  and  it  be  nocht  swa,  sum  part  salbe 
thyne." 
"  Mary,  God  forbid ! "  said  the  King,  "  that  war  bot 
lytill  skill; 
Baith  myself  and  my  hors  is  reddy  for  to  tyne : 
I  pray  the,  bring  me  to  sum  rest,  the  weddir  is  sa  schill, 
For  I  defend  that  we  fall  in  ony  fechtine.  60 

T  had  mckill  mair  nait,  sum  freindschip  to  find; 
And  gif  thow  can  better  than  I, 
For  the  name  of  Sanct  July, 
Thow  bring  me  to  sum  harbery, 

And  leif  me  not  behind!  "  65 

"  I  wait  na  worthie  harberie  heir  neir  hand 
For  to  serue  sic  ane  man  as  me  think  the : 


rauf  coil^eah.  97 

Nane  bot  mine  awin  house,  maist  in  this  land, 

Fer  furth  in  the  Forest,  amang  the  fellis  hie. 
With-thy  thow  wald  be  payit  of  sic  as  thow  fand,      70 
Forsuith  thow  suld  be  wel-cum  to  pas  hame  with  me, 
Or  ony  vther  gude  fallow  that  I  heir  fand 

Walkand  will  of  his  way,  as  me  think  the ; 
For  the  wedderis  ar  sa  fell,  that  fallis  on  the  feild." 

The  King  was  blyth  quhair  he  raid,         75 
Of  the  grant  that  he  had  maid, 
Sayand,  with  hert  glaid, 

"  Schir,  God  ^ow  for^eild  !  " 

"  Na,  thank  me  not  ouir  airlie,  for  dreid  that  we  threip, 

For  I  have  seruit  the  }it  of  lytill  thing  to  rufe ;     80 

For  nouther  hes  thow  had  of  me  fyre,  drink  nor  meit, 

£Jor  nane  vther  eismentis  for  trauellouris  behufe. 
Bot,  micht  we  bring  this  harberie  this  nicht  weill  to 
keip, 
That  we  micht  with  ressoun  baith  thus  excuse, 
To-morne,  on  the  morning,  quhen  thow  sail  on  leip,   85 

Pryse  at  the  parting,  how  that  thow  dois ; 
For  first  to  lofe,  and  syne  to  lak,  Peter!  it  is  schame." 
The  King  said,  "  In  gudefay, 
Schir,  it  is  suith  that  }e  say." 
Into  sic  talk  fell  thay,  90 

Quhill  thay  war  neir  hame. 

To  the  Coil^eans  hous  baith,  or  thay  wald  blin, 
The  Carll  had  cunning  weill  quhair  the  gait  lay : 

"  Vndo  the  dure  beliue !   Dame,  art  thow  in  ? 

Quhy  deuill  makis  thow  na  dule  for  this  euill  day  ?    95 

7 


98  RAUF    COIT^EAR. 

For  my  gaist  and  I  bailh  cheueris  with  the  chin, 

Sa  fell  ane  weddir  feld  I  neuer,  be  my  gude  fay ! " 
The  gude  wyfe  [was]  glaid  with  the  gle  to  begin — 
For  durst  scho  neuer  sit  summoundis  that  scho  hard 
him  say — 
The   Carll  was  wantoun    of  word,  and  wox   wonder 
wraith.  100 

All  abaisit  for  blame, 
To  the  dure  went  our  Dame, 
Scho  said,  "  Schir,  ^e  ar  welcome  hame, 
And  ^our  gaist  baith." 

"  Dame,  I  have  deir  coft  all  this  dayis  hyre,  105 

In  wickit  wedderis  and  weit  walkand  full  will ; 
Dame,  kyith  I  am  cummin  hame,  and  kendill  on  ane  fyre; 

I  trow  our  gaist  be  the  gait  hes  fame  als  ill. 
Ane  ryall  rufe  het  fyre  war  my  desyre, 

To  fair  the  bettir,  for  his  saik,  gif  we  micht  win 
thair-till;  110 

Knap  doun  capounis  of  the  best,  but  in  the  byre, 

Heir  is  bot  hamelie  fair,  do  beliue,  Gill." 
Twa  cant  knaifis  of  his  awin  haistelie  he  bad  : 
"  The  ane  of  }ow  my  capill  ta, 
The  vther  his  coursour  alswa;  115 

To  the  stabill  swyith  ^e  ga." 
Than  was  the  King  glaid. 

The  Coihear  gudlie  in  feir,  tuke  him  be  the  hand, 
And  put  him  befoir  him,  as  ressoun  had  bene; 

(^,uhcn  thay  come  to  the  dure,  the  King  begouth  to 
stand,  120 

To  put  the  Coil^ear  in  befoir,  made  him  to  mene. 


RAUF   COIL^EAR.  99 

He  said,  "  thow  art  vncourtes,  that  sail  I  warrand !  " 

He  tyt  the  King  be  the  nek,  twa  part  in  tene ; 
"  Gif  thow  at  bidding  suld  be  boun  or  obeysand, 

And  gif  thow  of  courtasie  couth,  thow  hes  forget  it 
clene !  125 

Noav  is  anis,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  kynd  aucht  to  creip, 
Sen  ellis  thow  art  vnknawin, 
To  mak  me  lord  of  my  awin ; 
Sa  mot  I  thriue,  I  am  thrawin, 

Begin  we  to  threip."  130 

Than  benwart  thay  ^eid,  quhair  brandis  was  bricht, 
To  ane  bricht  byrnand  fyre,  as  the  Carll  bad. 

He  callit  on  Gyliane  his  wyfe,  thair  supper  to  dicht ; 
"  Of  the  best  that  thair  is,  help  that  we  had, 


Eftir  ane  euill  day  to  haue  ane  mirrie  nicht ;  135 

For  sa  troublit  with  storrais  was  I  neuer  stad. 
Of  ilk  airt  of  the  eist  sa  laithly  it  laid ; 
3 it  I  was  mekle  willar  than, 
Quhen  I  met  with  this  man." 
Of  sic  taillis  thay  began,  140 

Quhill  the  supper  was  graid. 

Sone  was  the  supper  dicht,  and  the  fyre  bet, 

And  thay  had  weschin,  I-wis,  the  worthiest  was  thair: 

"  Tak  my  wyfe  be  the  hand  in  feir,  withoutin  let, 
And  gang  begin  the  buird,"  said  the  Coil^ear.      145 

"  That  war  vnsemand,  forsuith,  and  thyself  vnset :  " 
The  King  profferit  him  to  gang,  and  maid  ane  strange 
fair, 


100  RAUF   COIL^EAR. 

"  Now  is  twyse,"  said  the  Carll,  "  rue  think  thow  lies 
forget ! " 
He  leit  gyrd  to  the  King,  withoutin  ony  mair, 
And  hit  him  vnder  the  eir  with  his  richt  hand,        150 
Quhill  he  stakkerit  thair  with  all 
Half  the  breid  of  the  hall ; 
He  faind  neuer  of  ane  fall, 
Quhill  he  the  eird  fand. 

He  start  vp  stoutly  agane — vneis  micht  he  stand —  155 

For  anger  of  that  outray  that  he  had  thair  tane. 
He  callit  on  Gyliane  his  wyfe,  "  Ga,  tak  him  by  the 

hand, 
And  gang  agane  to  the  buird,  quhair  }e  suld  air  haue 

gane. 
Schir,  thow  art  vnskilfull,  and  that  sail  I  warrand ; 
Thow  byrd  to  haue  nurtour  aneuch,  and  thow  hes 
nane ;  160 

Thow  hes  walkit,  I  wis,  in  niony  wyld  land, 

The  mair  vertew  thow  suld  haue,  to  keip  the  fra 
blame : 
Thow  suld  be  courtes  of  kynd,and  ane  cunnand  courteir. 
Thocht  that  I  simpill  be, 
Do  as  I  bid  the ;  165 

The  hous  is  myne,  pardie, 
And  all  that  is  heir." 

The  King  said  to  him  self,  "  This  is  ane  euill  lyfe : 
3it  was  I  neuer  in  my  lyfe  thus-gait  leird  ; 

And  I  haue   oft  tymes  bene   quhair  gude   hes  bene 
ryfe,  170 

That  maist  couth  of  courtasie,  in  this  Christin  eird. 


EAUF   COIL^EAK.  101 

Is  nane  so  gude  as  leif  of,  and  mak  na  mair  stryfe, 
For  I  am  stonischit  at  this  straik,  that  hes  me  thus 
steird." 
In  feir  fairlie  he  foundis,  with  the  gude  wyfe, 

Quhair  the  Coihear  bad,  sa  braithlie  he  beird.     175 
Quhen  he  had  done  his  bidding,  as  him  gude  thocht, 
Down  he  sat  the  King  neir, 
And  maid  him  glaid  and  gude  cheir, 
And  said,  "  }e  ar  welcum  heir, 

Be  him  that  me  bocht."  180 

Quhen  thay  war  seruit  and  set  to  the  suppar, 
Gyll  and  the  gentill  King,  Charlis  of  micht, 
Syne  on  the  tother  syde  sat  the  Coil^ear: 

Thus  war  thay  marschellit  but  mair,  and  matchit 
that  nicht. 
Thay  brocht  breid  to  the  buird,  and  braun  of  ane 
bair,  185 

And  the  worthyest  wyne  went  vpon  hicht ; 
Thay  beirnis,  as  I  wene,  thay  had  aueuch  thair, 

Within  that  burelie  bigging,  byrnand  full  bricht. 
Syne  enteris  thair  daynteis,  on  deis  dicht  dayntelie ; 

Within  that  worthy  wane  190 

Forsuith  wantit  thay  nane. 
With  blyith  cheir  sayis  Gyliane, 
"  Schir,  dois  glaidlie." 

The  Carll  carpit  to  the  King  cumlie  and  cleir : 

"  Schir,  the  forestaris,  forsuith,  of  this  forest,         195 

Thay  haue  me  all  at  inuy,  for  dreid  of  the  deir ; 
Thay  threip  that  I  thring  doun  of  the  fattest. 


102  RAUF   COII^EAR. 

Thay  say,  I  sail  to  Paris,  thair  to  compeir 

Befoir  our  cumlie  King,  in  dule  to  be  drest ; 
Sic  mauassing  thay  me  mak,  forsuith,  ilk  ^eir,  200 

And  }it  aneuch  sail  I  haue  for  me  and  ane  gest. 
Thairfoir  sic  as  thow  seis,  spend  on,  and  not  spair." 
Thus  said  gentill  Charlis  the  Mane 
To  the  Coil  sear  agane : 
"  The  King  him  self  lies  bene  fane,        205 
Sum  tyme,  of  sic  fair." 

Of  capounis  and  cunningis  they  had  plentie, 

With  wyne  at  thair  will,  and  eik  vennysoun  ; 
Byrdis  bakin  in  breid,  the  best  that  may  be ; 

Thus  full  freschlie  thay  fure  into  fusioun.  210 

The  Carll  with  ane  cleir  voce  carpit  on  he, 

Said,  "  Gyll,  lat  the  cop  raik  for  my  bennysoun, 
And  gar  our  gaist  begin,  and  syne  drink  thow  to  me; 

Sen  he  is  ane  stranger,  me  think  it  ressoun." 
They  drank  dreichlie  about,  thay  wosche  and  thay 
rais.  215 

The  King  with  ane  blyith  cheir 
Thankit  the  Coilsear ; 
Syne  all  the  thre  into  feir 
To  the  fyre  gais. 

Quhen  they  had  maid  thame  eis,  the  Coibear  tald    220 

Mony  siudrie  taillis  efter  suppair. 
Ane  bricht  byrnand  fyre  was  byrnand  full  bald ; 

The  King  held  gude  countenance,  and  company  bair, 
And  euer  to  his  asking  ane  answer  he  jald  ; 

Quhill  at  the  last  he  began  to  frane  farther  mair :  225 


RAUF   COIL^EAR.  103 

"  In  faith,  freind,  I  wald  wit,  tell  gif  ^e  wald, 

Quhair  is  thy  maist  wynning?"  said  the  Coil^ear. 
"  Out  of  weir,"  said  the  King,  "  I  wayndit  neuer  to  tell ; 
With  ray  Lady  the  Queue 
In  office  maist  haue  I  bene,  230 

All  thir  ^eiris  fyftene, 

In  the  Court  for  to  dwell." 

"  Quhat-kin   office   art   thow  in,  quhen   thow   art   at 
hame, 
Gif  thow  dwellis  with  the  Quene,  proudest  in  pane?  " 
"  Ane  chyld  of  hir  chalraer,  Schir,  be  Sanct  Jame,    235 

And  thocht  my  self  it  say,  maist  inwart  of  ane  ; 
For  my  dwelling  to  nicht,  I  dreid  me  for  blame." 
"  Quhat  sal  I  call  the,"  said  the  Coi^ear,  quhen 
thow  art  hyne  gane  ?  " 
"  Wymond  of  the  Wardrop  is  my  richt  name ; 

Quhair  euer  thow  findis  me  befoir  the,  thi  harberie 
is  tane.  240 

And  thow  will  cum  to  the  Court,  this  I  vnderta, 
Thow  sail  haue  for  thy  fewaill 
For  my  sake,  the  better  saill, 
And  on  wart  to  thy  trauaill, 

Worth  ane  laid  or  twa."  245 

He  said,  "  I  haue  na  knawledge  quhair  the  Court  lyis, 
And  I  am  wonder  wa  to  cum  quhair  I  am  vnkend." 

"  And  I  sail  say  thee  the  suith  on  ilk  syde,  I  wis, 
That  thow  sail  wit  weill  aneuch  or  I  fra  the  wend : 

Baith  the  King  aud  the  Quene  meitis  in  Paris,        250 
For  to  hald  thair  3ule  togiddir,  for  scho  is  efter  send. 


104  RAUF    COIL} EAR. 

Thair  may  thow  sell,  be  ressoun,  als  deir  as  thow  will 
prys; 
And  }it  I  sail  helj)  the,  gif  I  ocht  may  amend, 
For  I  am  knawin  with  officiaris  in  cais  thow  cum  thair. 
Haue  gude  thocht  on  my  name,  255 

And  speir  gif  I  be  at  hame, 
For  I  suppois,  be  Sanct  Jame, 
Thow  sail  the  better  fair." 

"  Me  think  it  ressoun,  be  the  Rude,  that  I  do  thy  red, 
In  cais  I  cum  to  the  Court,  and  knaw  bot  the  ane ;  260 
Is  nane  sa  gude  as  drink,  and  gang  to  our  bed, 

For  als  far  as  I  wait,  the  nicht  is  furth  gane." 
To  ane  preuie  chalmer  beliue  thay  him  led, 

Quhair  ane  burely  bed  was  wrocht  in  that  wane, 
Closit  with  courtingis,  and  cumlie  cled;  265 

Of  the  worthiest  wyne  wantit  thay  nane. 
The  Coil^ear  and  his  wyfe  baith  with  him  thay  $eid, 
To  serue  him  all  at  thay  mocht, 
Till  he  was  in  bed  brocht. 
Mair  the  King  spak  nocht,  270 

Bot  thankit  thame  thair  deid. 

Vpon  the  morne  airlie,  quhen  it  was  day, 

The  King  buskit  him  sone,  with  scant  of  squyary. 
Wachis  and  wardroparis  all  war  away, 

That  war  wont  for  to  walkin  mony  worthy.  275 

Ane  pauyot  preuilie  brocht  him  his  palfray, 

The  King  thocht  lang  of  this  lyfe,  and  lap  on  in  hy  ; 
Than  callit  he  on  the  Carll,  anent  quhair  he  lay, 

For  to  tak  his  leif,  than  spak  he  freindly. 


RAUF  coiMear.  105 

Thau  walkiunit  thay  baith,  and  hard  he  was  thair;    280 
The  Carll  start  vp  sone, 
And  prayit  him  to  abyde  none : 
"  Quhill  thir  wickit  wedderis  be  done 
I  red  nocht  }e  fair." 

"  Sa  mot  I  thriue,"  said  the  King,  "  me  war  laith  to 
byde ;  285 

Is  not  the  morne  ^ule  day,  formest  of  the  jeir? 
Ane  man  that  office  suld  beir  be  tyme  at  this  tyde, 
He  will  be  found  in  his  fault  that  wantis,  foroutin 
weir. 
I  se  the  firmament  fair  vpon  ather  syde, 

I  will  returne  to  the  Court,  quhill  the  wedder  is 
cleir ;  290 

Call  furth  the  gude  wyfe,  lat  pay  hir  or  we  ryde, 

For  the  worthie  harberie  that  I  haue  fundin  heir." 
"  Lat  be,  God  forbid,"  the  Coil^ear  said, 

"And  thow  of  Charlis  cumpany, 
Cheif  King  of  cheualry,  295 

That  for  ane  nichtis  barbery 
Pay  suld  be  laid." 

"  ?ea,  sen  it  is  sa  that  thow  will  haue  na  pay, 

Cum  the   morne  to   the   Court,  and   do  my  coun- 
sall: 
Deliuer  the,  and  bring  ane  laid,  and  mak  na  delay,    300 
Thow  may  not  schame  with  thy  craft,  gif  thow  thriue 
sail. 
Gif  I  may  help  the  ocht  to  sell,  forsuith  I  sail  assay, 
And  als  my  self  wald  haue  sum  of  the  fewall." 


106  RAUF   COIL3EAR. 

"  Peter!  "  he  said,  "  I  sail  preif  the  morne,  gif  I  may, 
To   bring  coillis  to  the  Court,  to  se  gif  thay  sell 
sail."  305 

"  Se  that  thow  let  nocht,  I  pray  the,"  said  the  King. 
"  la  faith,"  said  the  Coil^ear, 
"  Traist  weill  I  salbe  thair, 
For  thow  will  neuer  gif  the  mair 

To  mak  ane  lesing.  310 

"  Bot  tell  me  now  lelely  quhat  is  thy  richt  name  ? 
I  will  forget  the  morne,  and  ony  man  me  greif." 
"  Wymond  of  the  Wardrop,  I  bid  not  to  lane  ; 

Tak  gud  tent  to  my  name,  the  Court  gif  thow  will 
preif." 
"That  I  haue  said,  I  sail  bald,  and  that  I  tell  the 
plane;  315 

Quhair  ony  Coil^ear  may  enchaip  I  trow  till  encheif." 
Quhen  he  had  grantit  him  to  cum,  than  was  the  King 
fane, 
And  withoutin  ony  mair  let,  than  he  tuke  his  leif. 
Than  the  Coil^ear  had  greit  thocht  on  the  cunnand  he 
had  maid  ; 

Went  to  the  charcoill  in  by,  320 

To  mak  his  chauffray  reddy. 
Agane  the  morne  airly 

He  ordanit  him  ane  laid. 


Than  vpon  the  morne  airlie,  quhen  the  day  dew, 
The  Coi^ear  had  greit  thocht  quhat  he  had  vnder 


tane ;  °» 


25 


EAUF   COII^EAR.  107 

He  kest  twa  creillis  on  ane  capill,  with  coillis  anew, 

Wandit  thame  with  widdeis,  to  wend  on  that  wane. 
"  Mary,  it  is  not  my  counsall,  bet  }one  man  that  ^e 
knew, 

■ 

To  do  }ow  in  his  gentrise,"  said  Gyliane. 
"  Thow  gaif  him  ane  outragious  blaw,  and  greit  boist 
blew ;  330 

In  faith  thow  suld  have  bocht  it  deir,  and  he  had 
bene  allane. 
For  thy,  hald  }ow  fra  the  Court,  for  ocht  that  may  be ; 
3one  man  that  thow  outrayd 
Is  not  sa  simpill  as  he  said  ; 
Thairun  my  lyfe  dar  I  layd,  335 

That  sail  thow  heir  and  se." 

"  }ea,  dame,  haue  nane  dreid  of  my  lyfe  to  day ; 
Lat  me  wirk  as  I  will,  the  weird  is  mine  awin. 
I  spak  not  out  of  ressoun,  the  suith  gif  I  sail  say, 
To  AVymond  of  the  Wardrop,  war  the  suith  knaw- 
in.  340 

That  I  haue  hecht  I  sail  hald,  happin  as  it  may, 

Quhidder  sa  it  gang  to  greif  or  to  gawin." 
He  caucht  twa  creillis  on  ane  capill,  and  catchit  on  his 
way 
Ouir  the  daillis  sa  derf,  be  the  day  was  dawin. 
The  hie  way  to  Paris,  in  all  that  he  mocht,  345 

With  ane  quhip  in  his  hand, 
Cantlie  on  catchand, 
To  fulfill  his  cunnand, 
To  the  Court  socht. 


108  RAUP   COII^EAR. 

Graith  thocht  of  the  grant  had  the  glide  King,       350 
And  callit  Schir  Holland  him  till,  and  gaif  com- 
mandment. 
(Ane  man  he  traistit  in  maist,  atonr  all  vther  thing, 
That  neuer  wald  set  him   on  assay  withoutin  his 
assent,) 
"  Tak  thy  hors  and  thy  harnes  in  the  morning ; 

For  to  watche  weill  the  wayis,  I  wald  that  thow 
went ;  355 

Gif  thow  meitis  ony  leid  lent  on  the  ling, 

Gar  thame   boun    to  this  Burgh,  I   tell   the  mine 
intent. 
Or  gyf  thow  seis  ony  man  cumming  furth  the  way, 
Quhat  sumeuer  that  he  be, 
Bring  him  haistely  to  me,  360 

Befoir  none  that  1  him  se 
In  this  hall  the  day." 

Schir  Holland  had  greit  ferly,  and  in  hart  kest 
Quhat  that  suld  betakin  that  the  King  tald : 
Vpon  solempnit  pie  day,  quhen  ilk  man  suld  rest,    365 
That  him  behouit  neidlingis  to  watche  on  the  wald, 
Quhen  his  God  to  serue  he  suld  have  him  drest. 

And  syne,  with  ane  blyith  cheir,  buskit  that  bald, 
Out  of  Paris  proudly  he  preikit  full  prest, 

In  till  his  harnes  all  hail  his  hechtis  for  to  hald.  370 
He  vmbekest  the  countrie,  outwith  the  toun  ; 
He  saw  na  thing  on  steir, 
Nouther  fer  nor  neir, 
Bot  the  feildis  in  feir, 

Daillis  and  doun.  375 


RAUP  COIL^EAR.  109 

He  huit  and  he  houerit  quhill  raidmorne  and  mair, 

Behaldand  the  hie  hillis  and  passage  sa  plane ; 
Sa  saw  he  quhair  the  Coil^ear  come  with  all  his  fair, 
With   twa   creillis   on   ane  capill ;    thairof  was  he 
fane. 
He  followit  to  him  haistely,  amang  the  holtis  hair,  380 
For  to  bring  him  to  the  King,  at  bidding  full  bane. 
Courtesly  to  the  Knieht  kneillit  the  Coil^ear, 

And  Schir  Rolland  him  self  salust  him  agane, 
Syne  bad  him  leif  his  courtasie,  and  boun  him  to  ga ; 
He  said,  "  Withoutin  letting  385 

Thow  mon  to  Paris  to  the  King ; 
Speid  the  fast  in  ane  ling 
Sen  I  find  na  ma." 

"  In  faith,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  }it  was  I  neuer  sa 
nyse; 
Schir  Knieht,  it  is  na  courtasie  commounis  to 

scorne :  390 

Thair  is  mony  better  than  I,  cummis  oft  to  Parys, 

That  the  King  wait  not  of,  nouther  nicht  nor  morne. 
For  to  towsill  me  or  tit  me,  thocht  foull  be  my  clais, 

Or  I  be  dantit  on  sic  wyse,  my  lyfe  salbe  lorne." 
"  Do  way,"  said  Schir  Rolland,  "  me  think  thow  art 
not  wise,  395 

I  red  thow  at  bidding  be,  be  all  that  we  haue  sworne ; 
And  call  thow  it  na  scorning,  bot  do  as  I  the  ken, 
Sen  thow  has  hard  mine  intent : 
It  is  the  Kingis  commandement, 
At  this  tyme  thow  suld  haue  went  400 

And  I  had  met  sic  ten." 


110  RAUF   (JOIL3EAR. 

"  I  am  bot  ane,  mad  man,  that  thow  hes  heir  met ; 

I  haue  na  myster  to  mat'che  with  maisterfull  men ; 
Fairand  ouir  the  feildis,  f'ewell  to  fet, 

And  oft  fylit  my  feit  in  mony  foull  fen  ;  405 

Gangand  with  laidis,  my  gouerning  to  get. 

Thair  is  mony  carll  in  the  countrie  thow  may  nocht 
ken; 
I  sail  hald  that  I  haue  hecht,  bot  I  be  hard  set, 

To  Wymond  of  the  Wardrop,  I  wait  full  weill  quhen." 
"  Sa  thriue  I,"  said  Holland,  "  it  is  mine  intent        410 
That  nouther  to  Wymond  nor  Will 
Thow  said  hald  nor  hecht  till, 
Quhill  I  haue  brocht  the  to  fulfill 
The  Kingis  commandment." 


Of  that  ryall  array  that  Holland  in  raid,  415 

Hauf  rusit  in  his  hart  of  that  ryall  thing ; 
"  He  is  the  gayest  in  geir,  that  euer  on  ground  glaid, 

Haue  he  grace  to  the  gre  in  ilk  iornaying. 
War  he  ane  manly  man,  as  he  is  weill  maid, 

He  war  full  michtie,  with  magre  durst  abyde  his 
meting."  420 

He  bad  the  Coil^ear  in  wraith  swyth  withoutin  baid, 
Cast   the   creillis   fra  the  capill   and   gang   to  the 
King, 
"  In  faith,  it  war  greit  schame,"  said  the  Coil^ear, 
"  I  vndertuk  thay  suld  be  brocht, 
This  day  for  ocht  that  be  mocht ;  425 

Schir  Knicht,  that  word  is  for  nocht 
That  thow  carpis  thair! 


RAUF   COII^EAR.  Ill 

"Thow  huifis  on  thir  holtis,  and  haldis  me  heir, 

Quhill  half  the  haill  day  may  the  hicht  haue." 
"  Be  Christ  that  was  cristinnit,  and  his  Mother 

cleir,  430 

Thow  sail  catche  to  the  Court,  that  sail  not  be  to 
craue. 
It  micht  be  preifit  preiudice,  bot  gif  thow  suld  compeir, 
To  se  quhat  granting  of  grace  the  King  wald  the 
gaif. 
For  na  gold  on  this  ground  wald  I,  but  weir, 

Be  fundin  fals  to  the  King,  sa  Christ  me  saue !     435 
To  gar  the  cum  and  be  knawin,  as  I  am  command, 
I  wait  not  quhat  his  willis  be, 
Nor  he  namit  na  mair  the, 
Nor  ane  vther  man  to  me, 

Bot  quhome  that  I  fand."  440 

"  Thow  fand  me  fechand  nathing  that  followit  to  feid ; 

I  war  ane  fide  gif  I  fled,  and  fand  nane  affray : 
Bot  as  ane  lauchfull  man,  my  laidis  to  leid, 

That  leifis  with  mekle  lawtie  and  laubour  in  fay. 
Be  the  Mother  and  the  Maydin  that  maid  vs 

remeid ,  445 

And  thow  mat  me  ony  mair,  cum  efter  quhat  sa  may, 

Thow  and  I  sail  dyntis  deill,  quhill  ane  of  vs  be  deid, 

For  the  deidis  thow  hes  me  done  vpon  this  deir  day." 

Mekle  merwell  of  that  word  had  Schir  Rolland : 

He  saw  na  wappinnis  thair,  450 

That  the  Coihear  bair, 
Bot  ane  auld  buklair, 

And  ane  roustie  brand. 


112  i:auf  coiiJear. 

"  It  is  lyke,"  said  Schir  Rolland,  and  lichtly  he  leuch, 
"  That  sic   ane   stubill   husband  man   wald  stryke 
stoutly ;  455 

Thair  is  mony  toun  man,  to  tuggill  is  full  teuch, 

Thocht  thair  brandis  be  blak  and  vuburely  ; 
Oft  fair  foullis  ar  fundin  faynt,  and  als  f'reuch. 

I  defend  we  fecht  or  fall  in  that  foly ; 
Lat  se  how  we  may  disseuer  with  sobernes  aneuch,  460 

And  catche  crabitnes  away,  be  Christ  counsall  I. 
Quhair  winnis  that  Wymond  thow  hecht  to  meit  to- 
day?" 

"  With  the  Quene,  tauld  he  me ; 
And  thair  I  vndertuke  to  be, 
Into  Paris,  pardie,  465 

Withoutin  delay." 

"  And  I  am  knawin  with  the  Quene,"  said  Schir  Rol- 
land, 
"  And  with  mony  byrdis  in  hir  bowre,  be  buikis  and 
bellis. 
The  King  is  into  Paris,  that  sail  I  warrand, 

And  all  his  aduertance  that  in  his  Court  dwellis.    470 
Me  tharth  haue  nane  noy  of  myne  erand, 

For  me  think  thow  will  be  thair,  efter  as  thow  tellis ; 
Bot  gif  I  fand  the,  forrow  now  to  keip  my  cunnand." 
"  Schir  Kuicht,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  thow  trowis  me 
neuer  ellis, 
Bot  gif  sum  suddand  let  put  it  of  delay  ;  475 

For  that  I  hecht  of  my  will, 
And  na  man  threit  me  thair  till, 
That  I  am  haldin  to  fulfill, 

And  sail  do  quhill  I  may." 


RAUF    COILrjEAR.  113 

"  3ea,  sen  thow  will  be  thair,  thy  cunnandis  to  new,   480 

I  neid  uane  airar  myne  erand  nor  none  of  the  day." 

"  Be  thow  traist,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  man,  as  I  am  trew, 

I  will  not  haist  me  ane  fute  faster  on  the  way ; 
Bot  gif  thow  raik  out  of  my  renk,  full  raith  sail  thow  rew, 
Or,  be  the  Rude,  I  sail  rais  thy  ryall  array ;         485 
Thocht  thy  body  be  braissit  in  that  bricht  hew, 
Thow  salbe  fundin  als  febil  of  thy  bone  fay." 
Schir  Rolland  said  to  him  self,  "  This  is  bot  foly 
To  striue  with  him  ocht  mair  : 
I  se  weill  he  will  be  thair."  490 

His  leif  at  the  Coil^ear 
He  tuke  lufesumly. 

"  Be  Christ ! "  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  that  war  ane  foull 
seorne, 
That  thow  suld  chaip,  bot  I  the  knew,  that  is  sa 
schynand ; 
For  thow  seis  my  weidis  ar  auld,  and  all  to-worne,   495 

Thow  trowis  nathing  thir  taillis  that  I  am  telland. 
Bring  na  beirnis  vs  by,  bot  as  we  war  borne, 

And  thir  blonkis  that  vs  beiris,  thairto  I  mak  ane  bland, 
That  I  sail  meit  the  heir  vpon  this  mure  to  morne, 

Gif  I  be  haldin  in  heill — and  thairto  my  hand —  500 
Sen  that  we  haue  na  laiser  at  this  tyme  to  ta." 
In  ane  thourtour  way, 
Seir  gaitis  pas  thay, 
Baith  to  Paris  in  fay ; 

Thus  partit  thay  twa. 

Taill  of  Ran  f  Coiljear  : 

11.1-323;  363-453;  4S0-570. 

8 


114  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 


WILLIAM   DUNBAR, 

(1460-1520.) 


William  Dunbar  was  born  about  1460.  After  receiving  the  Master's 
degree  at  St.  Andrew's  University,  he  seems  to  have  entered  the  Francis- 
can Order,  and  travelled  through  England  and  Prance.  Returning  to  Scot- 
land, he  was  attached,  in  his  capacity  of  poet,  to  the  Court  of  .lames  IV., 
and  celebrated  the  marriage  of  that  prince  with  Margaret,  daughter  of- 
Henry  VII.,  in  his  poem  called  The  Thrvssil  and  the  Roiss  (the  Thistle  ami 
the  Rose).  He  took  priestly  orders  in  1504.  Feeling  how  precarious  a 
thing  was  court-favour,  he  never  ceased  importuning  the  King  for  a  bene- 
fice, however  humble,  but  never  obtained  one.  Scarce  anything  is  known 
of  his  life  after  the  disaster  of  Hodden  in  151;;,  but  be  is  supposed  t<>  have 
died  about  1520.  His  works  arc  The  Thrissil  „„<!  the  Kaiss,  the  GoMyn  Terr/e, 
the  Dance  of  the  Sewn  Deidly  Synnis,  a  Flyling,  or  jocular  dispute  with 
Kennedy,  a  brother  poet,  and  a  number  of  smaller  pieces,  both  serious  and 
jocose.  The  excellent  tale,  the  'lim  PreirU  of  Berwick,  is  attributed  to  Dun- 
bar, but  not  with  absolute  certainty. 


The  Thrissill  and  the  Roiss. 

Quhen  Merclie  wes  with  variand  windis  past, 

And  Appryll  had,  with  her  sillier  schouris, 

Tane  leif  at  nature  with  ane  orient  hlast ; 

And  lusty  May,  that  inoddir  is  of  flouris, 

Had  maid  the  birdis  to  begyn  thair  houris  5 

Amang  the  tendir  odouris  reid  and  quhyt, 

Quhois  armony  to  heir  it  wes  delyt  ; 

In  bed  at  morrow,  sleiping  as  I  lay, 

Me  thocht  Aurora,  with  her  cristall  ene, 

In  at  the  window  lukit  by  the  day,  10 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  115 

And  halsit  me,  with  visage  paill  and  grene ; 
On  quhois  hand  a  lark  sang  fro  the  splene : 
"  Awalk,  luvaris,  out  of  your  slomering, 
Se  how  the  lusty  morrow  dois  vp  spring." 

Me  thocht  fresche  May  befoir  my  bed  vpstude,  15 

In  weid  depaynt  of  mony  diuerss  hew, 
Sobir,  benyng,  and  full  of  mansuetude, 
In  brycht  atteir  of  flouris  forgit  new, 
Hevinly  of  color,  quhyt,  reid,  broun,  and  blew, 
Balmit  in  dew,  and  gilt  with  Phebus  bemys,  20 

Quhill  all  the  houss  illumynit  of  hir  lemys. 

"Slugird,"  seho  said,  "  awalk  annone  for  schanie, 

And  in  my  honour  sum  thing  thow  go  wryt; 

The  lork  hes  done  the  mirry  day  proclame, 

To  raiss  vp  luvaris  with  confort  and  delyt,  25 

9 it  nocht  incressis  thy  curage  to  indyt, 

Quhois  hairt  sum  tyme  hes  glaid  and  blisfull  bene, 

Sangis  to  mak  vndir  the  levis  grene." 

"  Quhairto,"  quod  I,  "  sail  I  vpryss  at  morrow, 

For  in  this  May  few  birdis  herd  I  sing  ?  30 

Thai  haif  moir  causs  to  weip  and  plane  thair  sorrow ; 

Thy  air  it  is  nocht  holsurn  nor  benyng ; 

Lord  Eolus  dois  in  thy  sessone  ring  ; 

So  busteous  ar  the  blastis  of  his  home, 

Amang  thy  bewis  to  walk  I  haif  forborne."  35 

With  that  this  lady  sobirly  did  smyll, 
And  said,  "  Vpryss,  and  do  thy  observance  ; 
Thow  did  promyt,  in  Mayis  lusty  quhyle, 


116  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

For  to  discry  ve  the  Ross  of  most  plesance. 
Go  se  the  birdis  how  thay  sing  and  dance,  40 

llluniynit  our  with  orient  skyis  bryeht, 
Annamyllit  richely  with  new  asnr  lycht." 

Quhen  this  wes  said,  depairtit  scho,  this  quene, 

And  enterit  in  a  lusty  gairding  gent ; 

And  than,  me  thocht,  full  hestely  besene,  45 

In  serk  and  mantill  [eftir  hir]  I  went 

In  to  this  garth,  most  dulce  and  redolent 

Off  herb  and  flour,  and  tendir  plantis  sueit, 

And  grene  levis  doing  of  dew  doun  fleit. 

The  purpour  sone,  with  tendir  bemys  reid,  50 

In  orient  bricht  as  angell  did  appeir, 

Throw  goldin  skyis  putting  vp  his  heid, 

(^,u hois  gilt  tressis  schone  so  wondir  cleir, 

That  all  the  world  tuke  confort,  fer  and  neir, 

To  luke  vpone  his  fresche  and  blisfull  face,  55 

Doing  all  sable  fro  the  hevynuis  chace. 

And  as  the  blisfull  soune  of  cherarchy 

The  fowlis  song  throw  confort  of  the  licht ; 

The  byrdis  did  with  oppin  vocis  cry, 

"  O,  luvaris  fo,  away  thow  dully  nycht,  60 

And  welcum  day  that  confortis  every  wicht ; 

Haill  May,  hail  Flora,  haill  Aurora  schene, 

Haill  princes  Natur,  haill  Venus  luvis  quene !  " 

Dame  Nature  gaif  ane  inhibitioun  thair 

To  ferss  Neptunus,  and  Eolus  the  bawld,  65 

Nocht  to  perturb  the  wattir  nor  the  air, 


WILLIAM   DUNBAR.  117 

And  that  no  schouris,  nor  blastis  cawld, 

Eflray  snld  flouris  nor  fowlis  on  the  fold  ; 

Scho  bad  eik  Juno,  goddes  of  the  sky, 

That  scho  the  hevin  suld  keip  amene  and  dry.  70 

Scho  ordand  eik  that  every  bird  and  beist 

Befoir  hir  hieness  suld  annone  compeir, 

And  every  flour  of  vertew,  most  and  leist, 

And  every  herb  be  feild  fer  and  neir, 

As  they  had  wont  in  May,  fro  }eir  to  }eir,  75 

To  hir  thair  raakar  to  mak  obediens, 

Full  law  inclynnand  with  all  dew  reuerens. 

With  that  annone  scho  send  the  swyft  Ro 

To  bring  in  beistis  of  all  conditioun  ; 

The  restles  Suallow  commandit  scho  also  80 

To  feche  all  fowll  of  small  and  greit  renown ; 

And  to  gar  flouris  compeir  of  all  fassoun, 

Full  craftely  conjurit  scho  the  Yarrow, 

Quhilk  did  furth  swirk  als  swift  as  ony  arrow. 

All  present  wer  in  twynkling  of  ane  e,  85 

Baith  beist,  and  bird,  and  flour,  befoir  the  quene, 

And  first  the  Lyone,  gretast  of  degre, 

Was  callit  thair,  and  he,  most  fair  to  sene, 

With  a  full  hardy  contenance  and  kene, 

Befoir  dame  JNatur  come,  and  did  inclyne,  90 

With  visage  bawld,  and  curage  leonyne. 

This  awfull  beist  full  terrible  wes  of  cheir, 
Persing  of  luke,  and  stout  of  countenance, 
Rycht  strong  of  corpis,  of  fassoun  fair,  but  feir, 


118  WILLIAM   DUNBAR. 

Lusty  ofschaip,  lycht  of  deliuerance,  95 

Reid  of  his  cullour,  as  is  the  ruby  glance  ; 
On  feild  of  gold  he  stude  full  mychtely, 
With  flour  delycis  sirculit  lustely. 

This  lady  liftit  vp  his  cluvis  cleir, 

And  leit  him  listly  lene  vpone  hir  kne,  100 

And  crownit  him  with  dyademe  full  deir, 

Off  radyous  stonis,  most  ryall  for  to  se ; 

Saying,  "  The  King  of  Beistis  mak  I  the, 

And  the  cheif  protector  in  woddis  and  schawis ; 

Onto  thi  leigis  go  furth,  and  keip  the  lawis.  105 

Exerce  justice  with  mercy  and  conscience. 

And  lat  no  small  beist  suffir  skaith,  na  skornis 

Of  greit  beistis  that  bene  of  moir  piscence ; 

Do  law  elyk  to  aipis  and  vnicornis. 

And  lat  no  bowgle,  with  his  busteous  hornis,  110 

The  meik  pluch  ox  oppress,  for  all  his  pryd, 

Bot  in  the  30k  go  peciable  him  besyd." 

Q,uhen  this  was  said,  with  noyis  and  soun  of  joy, 

All  kynd  of  beistis  in  to  thair  degre, 

At  onis  cryit  lawd,  "  Viue  le  Roy  !  "  115 

And  till  his  feit  fell  with  humilite, 

And  all  thay  maid  him  homege  and  fewte ; 

And  he  did  thame  ressaif  with  princely  laitis, 

(^,uhois  noble  yre  is  parcere  prostratis. 

Syne  crownit  scho  the  Egle  King  of  Fowlis,  120 

And  as  steill  dertis  scherpit  scho  his  pennis, 
And  bawd  him  be  als  just  to  awppis  and  owlis, 


WILLIAM   DUNBAR.  119 

As  vnto  pacokkis,  papingais,  or  crennis, 
Arid  mak  a  law  for  wycht  fowlis  and  for  wrennis ; 
And  lat  no  fowll  of  ravyne  do  efferay,  125 

Nor  devoir  birdis  bot  his  awin  pray. 

Than  callit  scho  all  flouris  that  grew  on  feild, 

Discirnyng  all  thair  fassionis  and  effeiris ; 

Vpone  the  awfull  Thrissill  scho  beheld, 

And  saw  him  kepit  with  a  busche  of  speiris  ;  130 

Concedring  him  so  able  for  the  weiris, 

A  radius  croun  of  rubeis  scho  him  gaif, 

And  said,  "  In  feild  go  furth,  and  fend  the  laif ; 

And,  sen  thow  art  a  king,  thow  be  discreit ; 

Herb  without  vertew  thow  hald  nocht  of  sic  pryce  135 

As  herb  of  vertew  and  of  odor  sueit ; 

And  lat  no  nettill  vyle,  and  full  of  vyce, 

Hir  fallow  to  the  gudly  flour  delyce. 

Nor  latt  no  wyld  weid,  full  of  churlicheness, 

Compair  her  till  the  lilleis  nobilness.  140 

Nor  hald  non  vdir  flour  in  sic  denty 

As  the  fresche  Ross,  of  cullour  reid  and  quhyt ; 

For  gife  thow  dois,  hurt  is  thyne  honesty, 

Conciddering  that  no  flour  is  so  perfyt, 

So  full  of  virtew,  plesans  and  delyt,  145 

So  full  of  blisfull  augeilik  bewty, 

Imperiall  birth,  honour  and  dignite." 

Than  to  the  Ross  scho  turnyit  hir  visage, 
And  said,  "  O  lusty  dochtir  most  benyng 
Aboif  the  lilly,  illustare  of  lynnage,  150 


120  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

Fro  the  stok  ryell  rysing  fresche  and  }ing, 
But  ony  spot  or  niacull  doing  spring ; 
Cum,  blowme  of  joy,  with  jemis  to  be  cround, 
For  our  the  laif  thy  bewty  is  renownd." 

A  coistly  croun  with  clarefeid  stonis  brycht,  155 

This  cumly  quene  did  on  hir  heid  incloiss, 
Quhill  all  the  land  illumynit  of  the  licht ; 
Quhairfoir  me  thocht  all  flouris  did  reioss, 
Crying  attonis,  "  Haill  be  thow,  richest  Ross ! 
Hail,  hairbis  empryce,  haill,  freschest  quene  of 

flouris,  160 

To  the  be  glory  and  honour  at  all  houris." 

Thane  all  the  birdis  song  with  voce  on  hicht, 
Quhois  mifthfull  soun  wes  mervelus  to  heir ; 
The  mavyss  song,  "  Haill,  Roiss  most  riche  and  richt, 
That  doiss  vp  flureiss  vndir  Phebus  speir;  165 

Haill,  plant  of  }owth,  haill,  princes  dochtir  deir, 
Haill,  blosome  breking  out  of  the  blud  royall, 
Quhois  pretius  vertew  is  imperiall." 

The  merle  scho  sang,  "  Haill,  Roiss  of  most  delyt, 
Haill,  of  all  flouris  quene  and  souerane ; "  170 

The  lark  scho  song,  "  Haill,  Roiss,  both  reid  and  quhyt. 
Most  plesand  flour,  of  michty  cullouris  twane; " 
The  nychtingaill  song,  "  Haill,  naturis  suffragene 
In  bewty,  nurtour  and  every  nobilness, 
In  riche  array,  renown  and  gentilness."  175 

The  commoun  vqce  vpraiss  of  birdis  small, 
Apone  this  wyss,  "O  blissit  be  the  hour 
That  thow  wes  chosin  to  be  our  principal! ; 


WILLIAM   DUNBAR.  121 

Welcome  to  be  our  princes  of  honour, 

Our  perle,  our  plesans  and  our  paramour,  180 

Our  peax,  our  play,  our  plane  felicite, 

Chryst  the  conserf  frome  all  aduersite." 

Than  all  the  birdis  song  with  sic  a  schout, 

That  I  annon  awoilk  quhair  that  I  lay, 

And  with  a  braid  I  turnyt  me  about  185 

To  se  this  court ;  bot  all  wer  went  away  : 

Than  vp  I  lenyt,  halflingis  in  affrey, 

And  thuss  I  wret,  as  }e  haif  hard  to-forrow, 

Off  lusty  May  vpone  the  nynt  morrow. 


The  Visitation  of  St.  Francis. 

This  nycht  befoir  the  dawing  cleir, 

Me  thocht  Sanct  Francis  did  to  me  appeir, 

With  ane  religiouss  abbeit  in  his  hand, 

And  said,  "  In  thiss  go  cleith  the,  my  serwand  ; 

Reffuss  the  warld,  for  thow  mon  be  a  freir."  5 

With  him  and  with  his  abbeit  bayth  I  skarrit, 

Lyk  to  ane  man  that  with  a  gaist  wes  marrit  : 

Me  thocht  on  bed  he  layid  it  me  abone, 

Bot  on  the  flu  re  delyuerly  and  sone 

I  lap  thairfra,  and  nevir  wald  cum  nar  it.  10 

Quoth  he,  "  Quhy  skarris  thow  with  this  holy  weid  ? 
Cleith  the  thairin,  for  weir  it  thow  most  neid ; 
Thow,  that  hes  lang  done  Venus  lawis  teiche, 


122  WILLIAM   DUNBAR. 

Sail  now  be  freir,  and  in  this  abbeit  preiclie ; 
Delay  it  nocht,  it  mon  be  done  but  dreid."  15 

Quod  I,  "  Sanct  Francis,  loving  be  the  till, 

And  thaukit  mot  thow  be  of  thy  gude  will 

To  me,  that  of  thy  clayis  ar  so  kynd ; 

Bot  thame  to  weir  it  nevir  come  in  my  mynd ; 

Sweit  Confessour,  thow  tak  it  nocht  in  ill.  20 

In  haly  legendis  haif  I  hard  allevin, 

Ma  Sanctis  of  bischoppis,  nor  freiris,  be  sic  sevin ; 

Off  full  few  freiris  that  hes  bene  Sanctis  I  reid  ; 

Quhairfoir  ga  bring  to  me  ane  bischopis  weid, 

Gife  evir  thow  wald  my  saule  gaid  vnto  hevin."     25 

"  My  brethir  oft  hes  maid  the  supplicationis, 

Be  epistillis,  sermonis,  and  relationis, 

To  tak  the  abyte,  bot  thow  did  postpone ; 

Bot  ony  process,  cum  on  thairfoir  annone, 

All  sircumstance  put  by  and  excusationis."  30 

"  Gif  evir  my  fortoun  wes  to  be  a  freir, 

The  dait  thairof  is  past  full  mony  a  }eir; 

For  into  every  lusty  toun  and  place 

Off  all  Yngland,  frome  Berwick  to  Kalice, 

I  haif  into  thy  habeit  maid  gud  cheir.  35 

In  freiris  weid  full  fairly  haif  I  fleichit, 

In  it  haif  I  in  pulpet  gon  and  preichit 

In  Derntoun  kirk,  and  eik  in  Canterberry  ; 

In  it  I  past  at  Dover  our  the  ferry 

Throw  Piccardy,  and  thair  the  peple  teichit.  40 


WILLIAM   DUNBAR.  123 

Als  lang  as  I  did  beir  the  freiris  style, 

In  me,  God  wait,  wes  mony  wrink  and  wyle : 

In  me  wes  falset  with  every  wicht  to  flatter, 

Quhilk  mycht  be  flemit  with  na  haly  watter ; 

I  wes  ay  reddy  all  men  to  begyle."  45 

This  freir  that  did  Sanct  Francis  thair  appeir, 
Ane  fieind  he  wes  in  likness  of  ane  freir: 
He  vaneist  away  with  stynk  and  fyrie  smowk  ; 
With  him  me  thocht  all  the  hous  end  he  towk, 
And  I  awoik  as  wy  that  wes  in  w:eir.  50 


The  Fen^eit  Freir  of  Tungland. 

As  }ung  Awrora,  with  cristall  haile, 
In  orient  schew  hir  visage  paile, 
A  sweuyng  swyth  did  me  assaile, 

Off  sonis  of  Sathanis  seid ; 
Me  thocht  a  Turk  of  Tartary  5 

Come  throw  the  boundis  of  Barbary, 
And  lay  forloppin  in  Lumbardy, 

Ffull  lang  in  waithman  weid. 

Ffra  baptasing  for  to  eschew, 

Thair  a  religious  man  he  slew,  10 

And  cled  him  in  his  abeit  new, 

Ffor  he  cowth  wryte  and  reid. 
Quhen  kend  was  his  dissimvlance, 
And  all  his  cursit  govirnance, 
Ffor  feir  he  fled  and  come  in  France,  15 

With  littill  of  Lumbard  leid. 


124  WILLIAM   DUNBAR. 

To  be  a  leichc  he  fenyt  him  thair, 
Quhilk  mony  a  man  micht  rew  evirmair; 
For  he  left  nowthir  seik  nor  sair 

Vnslane,  or  he  hyne  }eid.  20 

Vane  organis  he  full  clenely  carvit, 
Quhen  of  his  straik  so  mony  starvit, 
Dreid  he  had  gottin  that  he  desarvit, 

He  fled  away  gud  speid. 

In  Scotland  than,  the  narrest  way  25 

He  come,  his  cunnyng  till  assay  ; 
To  sum  man  thair  it  was  no  play 

The  preving  of  his  sciens. 
In  pottingry  he  wrocht  grit  pyne, 
He  murdreist  mony  in  medecyne ;  30 

The  jow  was  of  a  grit  engyne, 

And  generit  was  of  gyans. 

In  leichecraft  he  was  homecyd  ; 

He  wald  haif,  for  a  nicht  to  byd, 

A  haiknay  and  the  hurt  manis  hyd,  35 

So  meikle  he  was  of  myance. 
His  yrnis  was  rude  as  ony  rawchtir, 
Quhair  he  leit  blude  it  was  no  lawchtir, 
Full  mony  instrument  for  slawchtir 

Was  in  his  gardevyance.  40 

Vnto  no  mess  pressit  this  prelat, 
For  sound  of  sacring  bell  nor  skellat ; 
As  blaksmyth  bruikit  was  his  pallat, 
Ffor  battering  at  the  study. 


WILLIAM   DUNBAR.  125 

Thocht  he  come  hame  a  new  maid  channoun,  45 
He  had  dispensit  with  matynnis  channoun, 
On  him  come  nowthir  stole  nor  fannoun, 
Ffor  smowking  of  the  smydy. 

Me  thocht  seir  fassonis  he  assail^eit, 

To  mak  the  quintessance,  and  fail^eit ;  50 

And  quhen  he  saw  that  nocht  avail^eit, 

A  fedrem  on  he  tuke, 
And  schupe  in  Turky  for  to  fie  ; 
And  quhen  that  he  did  mont  on  he, 
All  fowill  ferleit  quhat  he  sowld  be,  55 

That  evir  did  on  him  luke. 

Sum  held  he  had  bene  Dedalus, 
Sum  the  Menatair  marvelus, 
Sum  the  Martis  smyth  Wlcanus, 

And  sum  Saturnus  kuke.  60 

And  evir  the  cuschettis  at  him  tuggit, 
The  rukis  him  rent,  the  ravynis  him  druggit, 
The  hudit  crawis  his  hair  furth  ruggit, 

The  hevin  he  micht  not  bruke. 

The  myttane,  and  Sanct  Martynis  fowle,         65 
Wend  he  had  bene  the  hornit  howle, 
Thay  set  avpone  him  with  a  ^owle, 

And  gaif  him  dynt  for  dynt. 
The  golk,  the  gormaw,  and  the  gled, 
Beft  him  with  buffettis  quhill  he  bled ;  70 

The  sparhalk  to  the  spring  him  sped, 

Als  fers  as  fyre  of  flynt. 


126  WILLIAM   DUNBAR. 

The  tnrsall  gait'  him  tug  tor  tug, 

A  stanchell  hang  in  ilka  lug, 

The  pyot  furth  his  pennis  did  rug,  75 

The  stork  straik  ay  but  stynt. 
The  bissart,  bissy  but  rebuik, 
Scho  was  so  cleverus  of  hir  clvik, 
His  [eris]  he  ruicht  not  langer  bruik, 

Scho  held  thame  at  ane  hint.  80 

Thik  was  the  clud  of  kayis  aud  crawis, 
Of  marle^onis,  niittanis,  and  of  mawis, 
That  bikkrit  at  his  herd  with  blawis 

In  battell  him  abowt. 
Thay  nybbillit  him  with  noyis  aud  cry,  85 

The  rerd  of  thame  raiss  to  the  sky, 
And  evir  he  cryit  on  Fortoun,  Fy  ! 

His  lyfe  was  in  to  dowt. 

m 

He  schewre  his  feddreme  that  was  schene 
And  slippit  owt  of  it  full  clene,  90 

And  in  a  myre,  vp  to  the  ene, 

Amang  the  glar  did  glyd. 
The  fowlis  all  at  the  fedrein  dang, 
As  at  a  monster  thame  amang, 
Quhill  all  the  pennis  of  it  owsprang  95 

In  till  the  air  full  wyde. 

And  he  lay  at  the  plunge  evirmair, 

Sa  lang  as  any  ravin  did  rair ; 

The  crawis  him  socht  Avith  cryis  of  cair 

In  every  schaw  besyde.  100 


WILLIAM   DUNBAR.  127 

Had  he  reveild  bene  to  the  rwikis, 
Thay  had  hiru  reviu  all  with  thair  clwikis : 
Thre  dayis  in  dub  amang  the  dukis 
He  did  with  dirt  him  hyde. 

The  air  was  dirkit  with  the  fowlis,  105 

That  come  with  ^awmeris  and  with  fowlis, 
With  skryking,  skrymming  and  with  scowlis, 

To  tak  him  in  the  tyde. 
I  walknit  with  the  noyis  and  schowte, 
So  hiddowis  beir  was  me  abowte ;  110 

Sensyne  I  curss  that  cankerit  rowte 

Quhair  evir  I  go  or  ryde. 


Ane  Ballate  of  Gude  Counsall. 

To  dwell  in  court,  my  freind,  gife  that  thow  list, 

For  gift  of  fortoun  in  vy  thow  no  degre ; 
Behold  and  heir,  and  lat  thy  tung  tak  rest, 

In  meikle  speiche  is  part  of  vanitie  ; 

And  for  no  malyce  preiss  the  nevir  to  lie ;  5 

Als  trubill  nevir  thy  self,  sone,  be  no  tyd, 

Vthiris  to  rewill,  that  will  not  rewlit  be : 
He  rewlis  weill,  that  weill  him  "self  can  gyd. 

Bewar  quhome  to  thy  counsale  thosv  discure, 

Ffor  trewth  dwellis  nocht  ay  for  that  trewth  ap- 
peiris :  10 

Put  nocht  thyne  honour  into  aventeure ; 

Ane  freind  may  be  thy  fo,  as  fortoun  steiris : 
In  cumpany  cheiss  honorable  feiris, 


128  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

And  fra  vyle  folkis  draw  the  far  on  syd  ; 

The  Psalnie  sayis,  Cum  sancto  sanctus  eris:  15 

He  rewlis  weill,  that  weill  him  self  can  gyd. 

Haif  pacience  thocht  thow  no  lordschip  posseid, 
For  hie  vertew  may  stand  in  law  estait ; 

Be  thow  content,  of  mair  thow  lies  no  neid ; 

And  be  thow  nocht,  desyre  sail  raak  debait  20 

Evirrnoir,  till  deth  say  to  the,  chakmait. 

Thocht  all  war  thyne  this  warld  within  so  wyd, 
Quha  can  resist  the  serpent  of  dispyt  ? 

He  rewlis  weill,  that  weill  him  self  can  gyd. 

Ffle  frome  the  fallowschip  of  sic  as  ar  defamit,  25 

And  fra  fals  tungis  fulfild  with  flattry, 
Als  fra  all  schrewis,  or  ellis  thow  art  eschamit ; 

Sic  art  thow  callit  as  is  thy  cumpany. 

Fie  perrellus  taillis  fouudit  of  iuvy  : 
With  wilfull  men,  son,  argow  thow  no  tyd,  30 

Quhome  no  ressone  may  seiss  nor  pacify  : 
He  rewlis  weill,  that  well  him  self  can  gyd. 

And  be  thow  not  ane  roundar  in  the  nwke, 

For,  gif  thow  be,  men  will  hald  the  suspect : 
Be  nocht  in  countenance  ane  skornar,  nor  by  luke,    35 

But  dowt  siclyk  sail  stryk  the  in  the  neck. 

Be  war  also  to  counsall  or  coreck 
Him  that  extold  lies  far  him  self  in  pryd, 

Quhair  parrel]  is  but  protieit  or  effect : 
He  rewlis  weill,  that  weill  him  self  can  gyd.  40 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  129 

And  sen  thow  seyis  mony  thingis  variand, 

With  all  thy  hart  treit  bissines  and  cure : 
Hald  God  thy  freind,  evir  stabill  be  him  stand, 

He  will  the  coufort  in  all  misaventeur ; 

And  be  no  wayis  dispytfull  to  the  peure,  45 

Nor  to  no  man  do  wrang  at  ony  tyd: 

Quha  so  dois  this,  sicker  I  ^ovv  asseure, 
He  rewliss  weill,  that  sa  weill  him  can  gyd. 


The  Tiia  Mariit  Wemen  and  the  Wedo. 

Apon  the  Midsumer  ewiu,  mirriest  of  nichtis, 
I  muvit  furth  allane,  neir  as  midnicht  wes  past, 
Besyd  ane  gudlie  grene  garth,  full  of  gay  flouris, 
Hegeit,  of  ane  huge  hicht,  with  hawthorne  treis; 
Quhairon  ane  bird,  on  ane  bransche,  so  hirst  out  hir 

notis  5 

That  neuer  ane  blythfullar  bird  was  on  the  beuche 

harde : 
Quhat  throw  the  sugarat  sound  of  hir  sang  glaid, 
And  throw  the  sauar  sanatiue  of  the  sueit  flouris, 
I  drew  in  derne  to  the  dyk  to  dirkin  eftir  myrthis ; 
The  dew  donkit  the  daill,  and  dynarit  the  foulis.       10 

I  hard,  vnder  ane  holyn  hewinlie  grein  hewit, 
Ane  hie  speiche,  at  my  hand,  with  hautand  wourdis; 
With  that  in  haist  to  the  hege  so  hard  I  inthrang 
That  I  wes  heildit  with  hawthorne,  and  with  heynd 

leveis : 
Throw  pykis  of  the  plet  thorne  I  presandlie  luikit,    15 
9 


130  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

Gif  ony  persoun   wald  approche  within  that  plesand 

garding. 
I  saw  thre  gay  ladeis  sit  in  ane  grene  arbeir, 
All  grathit  in  to  garlandis  of  fresche  gudelie  flouris; 
So  glitterit  as  the  gold  wer  thair  glorius  gilt  tressis, 
Quhill  all  the  gressis  did  gleme  of  the  glaid  hewis  ;    20 
Kerumit  was  thair  cleir  hair,  and  curiouslie  sched 
Attour  thair  schnlderis  douri  schyre,  schyning  full 

bricht ; 
With  curches,  cassin  thame  abone,  of  kirsp  cleir  and 

thin : 
Thair  mantillis  grein  war  as  the  gress  that  grew  in  May 

sessoun, 
Fetrit  with  thair  quhyt  fingaris  about  thair  fair  sydis:  25 
Offferliful  fyne  favour  war  thair  faceis  meik, 
All  full  of  flurist  fairheid,  as  flouris  in  June  ; 
Quhyt,  seiinlie,  and  soft,  as  the  sweit  lillies ; 
New  vpspred  vpon  spray,  as  new  spynist  rose, 
Arrayit  ryallie  about  with  niony  rich  wardour,  30 

That  nature,  full  nohillie,  annamalit  fine  with  flouris 
Off  alkin  hewis  under  hewin,  that  ony  heynd  knew, 
Fragrant,  all  full  of  fresche  odour  fynest  of  smell. 
Ane  marbre  tabile  coverit  was  befoir  thai  thre  ladeis, 
With  ryale  cowpis  apon  rawys  full  of  ryche  wynys  :  35 
And  of  thir  fair  wlonkes,  with  tua  [that]  weddit  war 

with  lordis, 
Ane  wes  ane  wedow,  I  wist,  wantoun  of  laitis. 


Thus  draif  thai   our  that  deir  night,  with  danceis 
full  noble, 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  131 

Quhill  that  the  day  did  vp  daw,  and  dew  donkit  the 

flouris ; 
The  morow  myld  wes  and  raeik,  the  mavis  did  sing,    40 
And  all  remuffit  the  myst,  and  the  meid  smellit; 
Silver  schouris  douue  schuke,  as  the  schene  cristall, 
And  berdis  schoutit  in  schaw,  with  thair  schill  notis  ; 
The  goldin  glitterand  gleme  so  glad  it  ther  hertis, 
Thai  maid  a  glorins  gle  amang  the  grene  bewisr         45 
The  soft  souch  of  the  swyr,  and  sovne  of  the  stremys, 
The  sueit  sawour  of  the  sward,  [and]  singing  of  foulis, 
Myght  confort  ony  creatur  of  the  kyn  of  Adam  ; 
And  kindill  agane  his  curate  thocht  it  wer  cald  sloknvt. 
Than  rais  thir  ryall  roisis,  in  ther  riche  wedis,        50 
And  rakit  hame  to  ther  rest,  through  the  rise  blwmys  ; 
And  I  all  prevely  past  to  a  plesand  arber, 
And  with  my  pen  did  report  thair  pastance  most  mery. 


Meditatioun  in  Wyntir. 

In  to  thir  dirk  and  drublie  dayis, 
Quhone  sabill  all  the  hewin  arrayis, 

With  mystie  vapouris,  cluddis  and  skyis, 

Nature  all  curage  me  denyis 
Off  sangis,  ballattis,  and  of  playis.  5 

Quhen  that  the  nycht  dois  lenthin  houris, 
With  wind,  with  haill,  and  havy  schouris, 

My  dule  spreit  dois  lurk  forschoir  ; 

My  hairt  for  languor  dois  forloir, 
For  laik  of  symmer  with  his  flouris.  10 


132  WILLIAM   DUNBAR. 

I  walk,  I  turne,  sleip  may  I  nocht, 
I  vexit  am  with  havy  thocht ; 

This  warld  all  ouir  I  cast  about, 

And  ay  the  raair  I  am  in  dout, 
The  mair  that  I  remeid  have  socht.  15 

I  am  assayit  on  everie  syde : 
Dispair  sayis,  ay,  "  In  tyme  prowyde, 

And  get  sum  thing  quhairon  to  leif ; 

Or  with  grit  trouble  and  mischeif, 
Thow  sail  in  to  this  court  abyde."  20 

Than  Patience  sayis,  "Be  nocht  agast: 
Hald  Hoip  and  Treuthe  within  the  fast ; 
And  lat  Fortoun  wirk  furthe  hir  rage, 
Quhen  that  no  rasoun  may  assuage, 
Quhill  that  hir  glas  be  run  and  past."  25 

And  Prudence  in  my  eir  sayis  ay, 
"  Quhy  wald  thow  hald  that  will  away? 
Or  craif  that  thow  may  have  no  space, 
Thow  tending  to  ane  uther  place, 
A  journay  going  everie  day  ?  "  30 

And  than  sayis  Age,  "My  freind,  cum  neir, 
And  be  nocht  strange,  I  the  requeir : 
Cum,  brodir,  by  the  hand  me  tak, 
Remember  thow  lies  compt  to  mak 
Off  all  thi  tyme  thow  spendit  heir."  35 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  133 

Syne  Deid  castis  up  his  ^ettis  wyd, 

Saying,  "  Thir  oppin  sail  ^e  abyd ; 

Albeid  that  thow  were  never  sa  stout, 
Vndir  this  lyntall  sail  thow  lowt : 

Thair  is  nane  vther  way  besyd."  40 

For  feir  of  this  all  day  I  drowp ; 
No  gold  in  kist,  nor  wyne  in  cowp, 

No  ladeis  bewtie,  nor  luifh's  blys 

May  lat  me  to  remember  this  : 
How  glaid  that  evir  I  dyne  or  sowp.  45 

3it,  quhone  the  nycht  begynnis  to  schort, 
It  dois  my  spreit  sum  part  contort, 

Off  thocht  oppressit  with  the  schouris. 

Cum,  lustie  symmer !  with  thy  flouris, 
That  I  may  leif  in  sum  disport.  50 


The  Ballad  of  Kynd  Kittok. 

My  Gudame  wes  a  gay  wif,  bot  scho  wes  rycht  gend, 
Scho  duelt  furth  fer  in  to  France,  apon  Falkland 
fellis  ; 
Thay  callit  her  Kynd  Kittok,  quhasa  hir  weill  kend  ; 

Scho  wes  like  a  caldrone  cruke  cler  vnder  kellis ; 
Thay  threpit  that  scho  deit  of  thrist,  and  maid  a  gud 
end.  5 

Eftir  hir  dede,  scho  dredit  nought  in  hevin  for  to 
duell ; 


134  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

And  sa  to  hevin  the  hie  way  dreidless  seho  wend, 
3it  scho  wanderit,  and  }eid  by  to  aue  elriche  well. 
Scho  met  thar,  as  I  wene, 

Ane  ask  rydand  on  a  snaill,  10 

Et  cryit,  "  Ourtane  fallow,  haill !  " 
And  raid  ane  inche  behind  the  taill, 
Till  it  wes  neir  evin. 

Sa  scho  had  hap  to  be  horsit  to  her  herbry, 

Att  ane  ailhous  neir  [hevin],  it  nyghtit  thame 

thare;  15 

Scho  deit  of  thrist  in  this  warkl,  that  gert  hir  be  so 
dry, 
Scho  neuer  eit,  bot  drank  our  mesur  and  inair. 
Scho  slepit  quhill  the  morne  at  none,  and  rais  airly ; 

And  to  the  ^ettis  of  hevin  fast  can  the  wif  fair, 
And  by  Sanct  Petir,  in  at  the  }et,  scho  stall  prevely  :   20 
God  lukit  and  saw  hir  lattin  in,  and  lewch  his  hert  sair. 
And  thar,  ^eris  sevin 
Scho  lewit  a  gud  life, 
And  wes  our  Ladyis  henwif : 
And  held  Sanct  Petir  at  stryfe  25 

Ay  quhill  scho  wes  in  hevin. 

Sche  lukit  out  on  a  day,  and  thoght  ryght  lang 
To  se  the  ailhous  beside,  in  till  an  euill  hour; 

And  out  of  hevin  the  hie  gait  cought  the  wif  gang 
For  to  get  hir  ane  fresche  drink,  ^e  aill  of  hevin  wes 
sour.  30 

Scho  come  againe  to  hevinnis  ^et,  quhen  the  bell  rang, 
Sanct  Petir  hat  hir  with  a  club,  quhill  a  gret  clour 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  135 

Rais  in  hir  heid,  because  the  wif  ^eid  wrang; 

Thau  to  the  ailhous  agane  scho  ran,  the  pychans  to 
pour, 

And  for  to  brew  and  baik.  35 

Frendis,  I  pray  you  hertfully, 
Gif  }e  be  thristy  or  dry, 
Drink  with  ray  Guddame  as  ^e  ga  by, 
Auys  for  ray  saik. 


The  Freiris  of  Berivik. 

As  it  befell,  and  happinnit  in-to  deid, 

Vpoun  a  rever  the  quhilk  is  callit  Tweid  ; 

At  Tweidis  mowth  thair  standis  a  nobill  toun, 

Quhair  mony  lordis  lies  bene  of  grit  renoune, 

Quhair  mony  a  lady  bene  fair  of  face,  5 

And  mony  ane  fresche  lusty  galland  wass. 

In-to  this  toun,  the  quhilk  is  callit  Berwik, 

Vpoun  the  sey  thair  standis  nane  it  lyk, 

For  it  is  wallit  weill  abowt  with  stane, 

And  dowbill  stankis  castin  raony  ane.;  10 

And  syne  the  castell  is  so  Strang  and  wicht, 

With  strait  towris  and  turattis  he  on  hicht ; 

The  wallis  wrocht  craftely  withall  ; 

The  portcules  most  subtelly  to  fall, 

Quhen  that  thame  list  to  draw  tharne  vpoun  hicht;  15 

That  it  micht  be  of  na  raaner  of  micht 

To  win  that  houss  be  craft  or  subteltie. 

Quhairfoir  it  is  maist  gud  allutirly, 


13G  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

In- to  my  tynie  quhair  evir  I  haif  bene, 

Moist  fair,  most  gudly,  most  plesand  to  be  sene ;         20 

The  tovne,  the  wall,  the  castell  and  the  land, 

The  he  wallis  vpoun  the  vpper  hand, 

The  grit  croee  kirk,  and  eik  the  Masoue  Dew, 

The  Jacobene  freiris  of  the  quhyt  hew, 

The  Carnieleitis,  and  the  monkis  eik  ;  25 

The  four  ordouris  were  nocht  for  to  seik, 

Thay  wer  all  in  this  toun  dwelling. 

So  appinnit  in  a  Maij  morning, 

That  twa  of  the  Jacobyne  freiris, 

As  thay  wer  wont  and  vsit  mony  ^eiris  30 

To  pass  amang  thair  brethir  vpaland, 

Wer  send  of  thame  best  practisit  and  euunand. 

Freir  Allane,  and  Freir  Robert  the  vder ; 

Thir  silly  freiris  with  wyffis  weill  cowld  glnder; 

Rycht  wondir  weill  plesit  thai  all  wyffis  35 

And  tawld  thame  ta i  1  is  of  haly  Sanctis  lyffis. 

Quhill  on  a  tyme  thay  purposit  to  pass  hame ; 

Bot  verry  tyrit  and  wett  wes  Freir  Allane, 

For  he  wes  awld,  and  micht  nocht  wele  travel!, 

And  als  he  had  ane  littill  spyce  of  gravell.  40 

Freir  Robert  wes  ^oung,  and  verry  hett  of  blude, 

And  be  the  way  he  bnre  both  clothis  and  hude 

And  all  thair  geir,  for  he  wes  strong  and  wicht. 

Be  that  it  drew  neir  towart  the  nicht, 

As  thay  wer  cumand  towart  the  tovne  full  neir;        45 

Freir  Allane  said  than,  "Gud  bruder  deir, 

It  is  to  lait,  I  dreid  the  }et  be  closit, 

And  we  are  tyrit,  and  verry  evill  disposit 

To  luge  owt  of  the  toun,  bot  gif  that  we 

In  sume  gud  houss  this  nycht  mot  herbryt  be."  50 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  137 

Swa  wynnit  thair  ane  woundir  gude  hostillar, 

Without  the  toun,  in  till  a  fair  manar, 

And  Syraon  Lawrear  wes  his  name  ; 

Ane  fair  blyth  wyf  he  had,  of  ony  ane, 

Bot  scho  wes  sumthing  dynk  and  dengerous.  55 

The  silly  freiris  quhen  thay  come  to  the  houss, 

With  fair  hailsing  and  bekking  courteslye, 

To  thame  scho  anschirit  agane  in  hye ; 

Freir  Robert  sperit  eftir  the  gud  man, 

And  scho  agane  anschirit  thame  thane,  60 

"  He  went  fra  hame,  God  wait,  on  Weddinsday, 

In  the  cuntre  for  to  seik  corne  and  hay, 

An  vthir  thingis  quhairof  we  haif  neid." 

Freir  Robert  said,  "  I  pray  grit  God  him  speid 

Him  haill  and  sound  in-to  his  travell,"  65 

And  hir  desyrit  the  stowp  to  fill  of  aill, 

"  That  we  may  drink,  for  I  am  wondir  dry." 

With  that  the  wyfe  went  furth  richt  schortly, 

And  fillit  the  stowp,  and  brocht  in  breid  and  cheiss ; 

Thay  eit  and  drank,  and  satt  at  thair  awin  eiss.         70 

Freir  Allane  said  to  the  gudwyf  in  hye, 

"  Cum  hiddir,  deme,  and  sett  30W  doun  me  bye, 

And  fill  the  cop  agane  anis  to  me;" 

Freir  Robert  said,  "  Full  weill  payit  shall  ^e  be." 

The  freiris  wer  blyth,  and  mirry  tailis  cowld  tell,       75 

And  even  with  that  thay  hard  the  prayer  bell 

Off' thair  awin  abbay,  and  than  thay  wer  agast, 

Becauss  thay  knew  the  ^ettis  wer  closit  fast ; 

That  thay  on  na  wayis  micht  gett  entre. 

Than  the  gudwyfe  thay  prayit  for  cheritie  80 

To  grant  thame  herbrye  that  ane  nicht ; 

Bot  scho  to  thame  gaif  anschir  with  grit  hicht, 


138  WILLIAM     DUNBAII. 

"  The  gudman  is  fra  hame,  us  I  jow  tald, 

And  God  it  wait,  gif  I  durst  be  so  bald 

To  herbry  freiris  in  this  houss  with  me :  85 

Quhat  wald  Symon  sa,  ha,  benedicite! 

Bot  in  his  absence  I  abusit  his  place? 

Our  deir  Lady  Mary  keip  fra  sic  cace, 

And  keip  me  owt  of  perrell  and  of  schame." 

Than  auld  Freir  Allane  said,  "  Na,  fair  dame,  90 

For  Godis  saik,  heir  me  quhat  I  sail  say, 

In  gud  faith,  we  will  both  be  deid  or  day  ; 

The  way  is  evill,  and  I  am  tyrit  and  wett, 

Our  ^ettis  ar  closit  that  we  may  not  in  gett, 

And  to  our  abbay  we  can  nocht  win  in;  95 

To  causs  ws  perreiss  but  help  2e  haif  grit  syu  ; 

Thairfoir  of  verry  neid  we  mon  byd  still, 

And  ws  commit  alhaill  into  }our  will." 

The  gudwyf  lukit  vnto  the  freiris  tway, 

And  at  the  last,  to  thame  culd  scho  say,  100 

"  3e  byd  nocht  heir,  be  Him  that  ws  all  coft ; 

Bot  gif  ^e  list  to  lig  vp  in  ^one  loft, 

Quhilk  is  weill  wrocht  in-to  the  hallis  end, 

3e  sail  fynd  stray,  and  clathis  I  sail  2ow  send ; 

Quhair,  and  }e  list,  pass  on  baith  in  feir,  105 

For  on  no  wayis  will  I  repair  haif  heir." 

Hir  madin  than  scho  send  hir  on  befoir, 

And  hir  thay  followit  baith  withowttin  moir ; 

Thay  war  full  blyth,  and  did  as  scho  thame  kend, 

And  vp  thay  went,  in-to  the  hallis  end,  110 

In  till  a  loft  wes  maid  for  corne  and  hay ; 

Scho  maid  thair  bed,  syne  past  doun  but  delay, 

Closit  the  trop  and  thay  remanit  still, 

In-to  the  loft,  thay  wantit  of  thair  will. 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  139 

Freir  Allane  lay  doun  as  he  best  micht ;  115 

Freir  Robert  said,  "  I  hecht  to  walk  this  nicht, 

Quha  wait  perchance  sum  sport  I  ma  espy?" 

Thus  in  the  loft  latt  I  thir  freiris  ly, 

And  of  the  gudwyf  now  I  will  speik  mair. 

Scho  wes  richt  blyth  that  thay  wer  closit  thair,        120 

For  scho  had  maid  ane  tryst  that  samyn  nicht 

Freir  Johine  hir  luvis  supper  for  to  dicht ; 

Quha  dwelland  wes  in-to  that  samyne  town, 

And  ane  Blak  Freir  he  wes  of  grit  renown. 

He  govirnit  alhaill  the  abbacy  ;  125 

Silwer  and  gold  he  had  aboundantly  ; 

He  had  a  prevy  posterne  of  his  awin, 

Quhair  he  micht  ische,  quhen  that  he  list,  vnknawin. 

Now  thus  in-to  the  toun  I  leif  him  still, 

Bydand  his  tyme  ;  and  turne  agane  I  will  130 

To  this  fair  wyfe,  how  scho  the  fyre  cowld  beit, 

And  thristit  on  fatt  caponis  to  the  speit; 

And  fatt  cunyngis  to  fyre  did  scho  lay, 

Syne  bad  the  madin,  in  all  the  haist  scho  may, 

To  flawme,  and  turne,  and  rost  thame  tenderly.       135 

And  to  hir  chalmer  so  scho  went  in  hy  ; 

Scho  cleithis  hir  in  a  kirtill  of  fyne  reid, 

Ane  fair  quhyt  curch  scho  puttis  vpoun  hir  heid ; 

Hir  kirtill  wes  of  silk,  and  silwer  fyne, 

Hir  vthir  garmentis  as  the  reid  gold  did  schyne ;     140 

On  every  finger  scho  weiris  ringis  two ; 

Scho  was  als  prowd  as  ony  papingo. 

The  burde  scho  coverit  with  clath  of  costly  greyne, 

Hir  napry  aboif  wes  woundir  weill  besene. 

Than  but  scho  went,  to  se  gif  ony  come,  145 

Scho  thocht  full  lang  to  meit  hir  lufe  Freir  Johine. 


MO  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

Syne  schortly  did  this  freir  knok  at  the  }ett ; 

His  knok  scho  kend,  and  did  so  him  in  lett. 

Scho  welcomit  him  in  all  hir  best  maneir; 

He  thankit  hir,  and  said,  "  My  awin  luve  deir,         150 

Haif'thair  ane  pair  of  bossis,  gud  and  f'yne, 

Thay  hald  ane  gallone  full  of  Gascone  wyne ; 

And  als  ane  pair  of  pertrikis  richt  new  slane, 

And  eke  ane  creill  full  of  breid  of  mane; 

This  I  haif  brocht  to  ^ow,  my  awin  luve  deir,  155 

Thairfoir,  I  pray  }ow,  be  blyth,  and  mak  gud  cheir; 

Sen  it  is  so  that  Semon  is  fra  haine, 

I  wilbe  hamely  now  with  ^ow,  gud  dame." 

Scho  sayis,  "  3e  are  full  hertly  welcome  heir, 

At  ony  tyme,  quhen  that  }e  list  appeir."  160 

With  that  scho  smylit  woundir  lustely  ; 

He  thristit  hir  hand  agane  richt  prevely, 

Than  in  hett  luve  thay  talkit  vderis  till. 

Thus  at  thair  sport  now  will  I  leif  thame  still, 

And  tell  ^ow  off  thir  silly  freiris  two  165 

Wer  lokit  in  the  loft  amang  the  stro : 

Freir  Allane  in  the  loft  still  can  ly ; 

Freir  Robert  had  ane  littill  jelosy, 

For  in  his  hairt  he  had  ane  persaving, 

And  throw  the  burdis  he  maid  with  his  botkin         170 

A  littill  hoill  on  sic  a  wyiss  maid  he, 

All  that  thay  did  thair  doun  he  micht  weill  se, 

And  every  word  he  herd  that  thay  did  say. 

Thair  prelat-lyk  sat  he  in  to  the  chyre  : 

Scho  rownis  than  ane  pistill  in  his  eir;  .175 

Thus  sport  thai  thame,  and  makis  melody  : 

And  quhen  scho  saw  the  supper  wes  reddy, 

Scho  gois  belyfe  and  cuveris  the  burde  annon, 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  141 

And  syne  the  pair  of  bossis  hes  scho  tone, 

And  sett  thame  doun  vpoun  the  burde  hir  by.  180 

And  evin  with  that  they  hard  the  gudman  cry, 

And  knokand  at  the  }ett  he  cryit  fast. 

Quhen  thay  him  hard  then  wer  thay  both  agast : 

And  als  Freir  Johine  wes  in  a  fellone  fray  ; 

He  stert  vp  fast,  and  wald  haif  bene  away,  185 

Bot  all  for  nocht,  he  micht  no  way  win  owt. 

The  gudwyfe  spak  than,  with  a  visage  stowt, 

"  3one  is  Symone  that  makis  all  this  fray, 

That  I  micht  tholit  full  weill  had  bene  away  ; 

I  sail  him  quyt,  and  I  leif  half  a  ^eir,  190 

That  cummert  hes  ws  thus  in  sic  maneir, 

Becauss  for  him  we  may  nocht  byd  togidder ; 

I  soir  repent  and  wo  is  ^e  come  hidder, 

For  we  wer  weill  gif  that  ^e  wer  away." 

"  Quhat  sail  I  do,  allace  ?  "  the  freir  can  say ;  195 

"  Into  this  case,  Lord !  how  sail  I  me  beir, 

For  I  am  schent  and  Symon  fynd  me  heir." 

"  Hyd  30U,"  scho  said,  "  quhill  he  be  brocht  to  rest, 

In-to  ^one  troich,  I  think  it  for  the  best ; 

It  lyis  mekle  and  huge  in  all  ^one  nwke,  200 

It  held  a  boll  of  meill  quhen  that  we  buke." 

Than  vndir  it  scho  gart  him  creip  in  hy, 

And  bad  him  lurk  thair  very  quyetly; 

Scho  closit  him,  and  syne  went  on  hir  way. 

"  Quhat  sail  I  do,  allace?  "  the  freir  can  say.  205 

Syn  to  hir  madin  spedyly  scho  spak, 

"  Go  to  the  fyre,  and  the  meitis  fra  it  tak  ; 

Be  bissy  als,  and  slokkin  out  the  fyre ; 

Ga  cloiss  ^one  burd,  and  tak  away  the  chyre, 

And  lok  vp  all  in  to  ^one  almery,  210 


142  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

Baith  meit  and  drink,  with  wyne  and  aill  put  by ; 

The  inayne  breid  als  thow  hyd  it  with  the  wyne; 

That  being  done,  thow  sowp  the  houss  clene  syne, 

That  na  apperauce  of  feist  be  heir  sene, 

Bot  sobirly  our  selfis  dois  sustene."  215 

And  syne,  withowttin  ony  mair  delay, 

Scho  castis  of  hail]  hir  fresch  array  ; 

Than  went  scho  to  hir  bed  annone, 

And  tholit  him  to  knok  his  fill,  Symone. 

Quhen  he  for  knoking  tyrit  wes,  and  cryid,  220 

Abowt  he  went  vnto  the  vdir  syd, 

And  on  Alesone  fast  cold  he  cry ; 

And  at  the  last  scho  anschirit  crabitly, 

"  Ach,  quha  be  this  that  knawis  sa  weill  ray  name? 

Go  henss,"  scho  sayis,  "  for  Symon  is  fra  hanie,        225 

And  I  will  herbry  no  gaistis  heir  perfay  ; 

Thairfoir  I  pray  jow  to  wend  on  ^our  way, 

For  at  this  tyrae  ^e  may  nocht  lugit  be." 

Than  Symone  said,  "  Fair  dame,  ken  ^e  nocht  me? 

I  am  ^our  Symone  and  husband  of  this  place."         230 

"  Ar  ^e  my  spous  Symone?  "  scho  sayis,  "  allace, 

Be  misknawledge  I  had  almaist  misgane, 

Quha  wenit  that  }e  sa  lait  wald  haif  cum  hame?  " 

Scho  stertis  vp  and  gettis  licht  in  hy, 

And  oppinit  than  the  }et  full  haistely ;  235 

Scho  tuk  fra  him  his  geir  at  all  devyiss, 

Syne  welcomit  him  on  maist  hairtly  wyiss. 

He  bad  the  madin  kindill  on  the  fyre, 

"  Syne  graith  me  meit,  and  tak  2e  all  thy  hyre." 

The  gudwyf  said  schortly,  "  3e  may  trow,  240 

Heir  is  no  meit  that  ganand  is  for  }ow." 

"How  sa,  fair  deme?     Ga  gait  me  cheiss  and  breid, 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  143 

Ga  fill  the  stowp,  hald  me  no  mair  in  pleid, 

For  I  am  verry  tyrit,  wett  and  cauld." 

Than  vp  scho  raiss,  and  durst  nocht  mair  be  bauld,  245 

Cuverit  the  burde,  thairon  sett  meit  in  hy, 

Ane  sowsit  nolt  fate,  and  scheipheid,  haistely  ; 

And  sum  cauld  meit  scho  brocht  to  him  belyve, 

And  fillit  the  stowp.     The  gudman  than  wes  blyth  ; 

Than  satt  he  doun,  and  swoir  "  Be  All  hallow,         250 

I  fair  richt  weill  and  I  had  ane  gud  fallow : 

Dame,  eit  with  me,  and  drink,  gif  that  ^e  may." 

Said  the  gudwyf,  "  Devill  inche  may  I ; 

It  wer  mair  meit  in  to  ^our  bed  to  be, 

Than  now  to  sit  desyrand  cumpany."  255 

The  freiris  twa,  that  in  the  loft  did  ly, 
Thay  hard  him  weill  desyrand  cumpany. 
Freir  Robert  said,  "  Allace !  gud  bruder  deir, 
I  wald  the  gudman  wist  that  we  wer  heir ; 
Quha  wait,  perchance  sum  bettir  wald  he  fair ;         260 
Fer  sickerly  my  hairt  will  ay  be  sair 
Gif  ^one  scheip  heid  with  Symon  birneist  be, 
Sa  mekill  gud  cheir  being  in  the  almerie." 
And  with  that  word  he  gaif  ane  hoist  anone. 
The  gudman  hard,  and  speirit,  "  Quha  is  ^one?       265 
Methink  that  thair  is  men  into  2one  loft." 
The  gudwyf  ansuerit,  with  wourdis  soft, 
"  3one  are  ^our  awin  freiris  brether  tway." 
Symone  said,  "  Dame,  tell  me  quhat  freiris  be  thay?  " 
"  3one  is  Freir  Robert  and  silly  Freir  Allane,  270 

That  all  this  day  hes  travellit  with  grit  pane 
Be  thay  come  heir  it  was  so  verry  lait, 
Curfur  wes  rung,  and  closit  wes  thair  ^ait, 
And  in  ^one  loft  I  gaif  thame  herberye." 


144  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

The  gudman  said,  "  Sa  God  haif  part  of  me,  275 

Tha  freiris  twa  ar  hairtly  welcome  bidder: 

Ga,  call  thame  doun,  that  we  ma  drink  togidder." 

The  gudwyf  said,  "  I  reid  30W  latt  thame  be; 

Thay  had  levir  sleip  nor  sit  in  cumpanye: 

To  drink  and  dot  it  ganis  nocht  for  thame."  280 

"  Let  be,  fair  dame,  thy  wordis  ar  in  vane  ; 

I  will  thame  haif,  be  Goddis  dignite ; 

Mak  no  delay,  bot  bring  thame  doun  to  me." 

The  gudman  said  unto  the  maidin  thone, 

"  Go  pray  thame  baith  to  come  till  me  annone."      285 

And  sone  the  trop  the  madin  oppinit  than, 

And  bad  thame  baith  cum  doun  to  the  gudman. 

Freir  Robert  said,  "  Now,  be  sweit  Sanct  Jame, 

The  gudman  is  verry  welcome  hame ; 

And  for  his  weilfair  dalie  do  we  pray.  290 

We  sail  annone  cum  doun  to  him,  3e  say." 

Than  with  that  word  thay  start  up  baith  attone, 
And  doun  the  trop  dely  verly  thay  come  ; 
Halsit  Symone  als  sone  as  thay  him  s6, 
And  he  agane  thame  welcomit  hairtfullie,  295 

And  said,  "Cum  heir,  myne  awin  bredir  deir, 
And  sett  30W  doun  sone  besyde  me  heir. 
For  I  am  now  allone,  as  $e  may  se  ; 
Thairfoir  sitt  doun  and  beir  me  cumpanye, 
And  tak  30W  pairt  of  sic  gud  as  we  haif."  300 

Freir  Allane  said,  "  Schir,  I  pray  God  30W  saif, 
For  heir  is  now  annwch  of  Goddis  gud." 
Than  Symone  anscherit,  "  Now,  be  the  Rud, 
3it  wald  I  gift' ane  croun  of  gold  for  me 
For  sura  gud  nieit  and  drink  araangis  ws  thru."       305 
Freir  Robert  said,  "  Quhat  drinkis  wald  ^e  craif, 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  145 

Or  quhat  meitis  desyre  ^e  for  to  haif  ? 

For  I  haif  mony  sindry  practikis  seir 

Beyond  the  sey,  in  Pareiss  did  I  leir, 

That  I  wald  preve  glaidly  for  }our  saik,  310 

And  for  ^our  datnys,  that  harbry  cowd  ws  maik. 

I  tak  on  hand,  and  ^e  will  counsale  keip, 

That  I  sail  gar  ^ow  se,  or  evir  I  sleip, 

Of  the  best  meit  that  is  in  this  cuntre ; 

Of  Gascone  wyne,  gif  ony  in  it  be,  315 

Or,  be  thair  ony  within  ane  hundreth  myle, 

It  sail  be  heir  within  a  bony  quhyle." 

The  gudman  had  grit  mervell  of  this  taill, 
And  said,  "  [Brother]  my  hairt  will  neir  be  haill 
Bot  gif  ^e  preve  that  practik,  or  je  parte.  320 

Be  quhat  kin  science,  nigromansy,  or  art." 
Freir  Robert  said,  "  Of  this  }e  haif  no  dreid, 
For  I  can  do  fer  mair,  and  thair  be  neid." 
Than  Symone  said,  "  Freir  Robert,  I  }ow  pray, 
For  my  saik,  that  science  ^e  wald  assay,  325 

To  make  ane  sport."     And  than  the  freir  vprais, 
And  tuk  his  buke,  and  to  the  flure  he  gais. 
He  turnis  it  our,  and  reidis  a  littill  space 
And  to  the  eist  direct  he  turnis  his  face, 
Syne  to  the  west  he  turnit  and  lukit  doun,  330 

And  tuk  his  buk  and  red  an  orisoun. 
And  ay  his  eyne  wer  on  the  almery 
And  on  the  troch  quhair  that  Freir  Johine  did  ly. 
Than  sat  he  doun  and  kest  abak  his  hude ; 
He  granit,  and  he  glowrit,  as  he  wer  woid ;  335 

And  quhylis  still  he  satt  in  studeing 
And  vther  quhylis  vpoun  his  buk  reding, 
And  quhylis  with  baith  his  handis  he  wald  clap, 
10 


146  WILLIAM     IHM'.Ai;. 

And  vthir  quhylis  wald  he  glowr  and  gaip, 

Syne  in  the  sowth  he  turn  it  him  abowt,  340 

Weill  thryiss  and  mair  than  lawly  cowd  he  lowt, 

Quhen  that  he  come  neir  hand  the  alinery. 

Thairat  our  dame  had  woundir  grit  invy, 

For  in  hir  hairt  scho  had  ane  persaving 

That  he  had  knawin  all  hir  govirning.  345 

Scho  saw  him  gif  the  almery  sic  a  straik  : 
Vnto  hir  self  scho  said,  "  Full  weill  I  wait 
I  am  bot  schent;  he  knawis  full  weill  my  thocht. 
Quhat  sail  I  do?     Allace  that  I  wes  wrocht! 
Get  Symon  wit,  it  wilbe  deir  doing."  350 

Be  that  the  freir  had  left  his  studeing, 
And  on  his  feit  he  startis  up  full  sture, 
And  come  agane  and  seyit  all  his  cure. 

"  Now  is  it  done,  and  }e  sail  haif  playntie 
Of  breid  and  wyne,  the  best  in  this  cuntre.  355 

Thairfoir,  fair  dame,  get  up  deliverlie, 
And  ga  belyfe  unto  }one  almerie 
And  oppin  it,  and  se  }e  bring  us  syne 
Ane  pair  of  bossis  full  of  Gascone  wyne ; 
Thay  hald  ane  galloun  and  mair,  that  wait  I  weill ;  360 
And  bring  ws  als  the  mayne  breid  in  a  creill, 
Ane  pair  of  cunyngis,  fat  and  het  pypand, 
The  caponis  als  }e  sail  ws  bring  fra  baud, 
Twa  pair  of  pertrikis,  I  wait  thair  is  na  ma, 
And  eik  of  pluveris  se  that  }e  bring  ws  twa."  365 

The  gudwyf  wist  it  wes  no  variance  : 
Scho  knew  the  freir  had  sene  hir  govirnance; 
Scho  saw  it  wes  no  bute  for  to  deny; 
With  that  scho  went  vnto  the  almery 
And  oppinnit,  and  than  scho  fand  richt  thair  370 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  147 

All  that  the  freir  had  spoken  of  befoir. 

Scho  stert  abak,  as  scho  wer  in  a  fray, 

And  sanyt  hir,  and  srayland  cowd  scho  say 

"  Ha,  benedicite!     Quhat  may  this  bene? 

Quha  evir  afoir  hes  sic  a  fairly  sene  ?  375 

Sa  grit  a  marvell  as  now  hes  apnit  heir? 

Quhat  sail  I  say  ?     He  is  ane  haly  freir  : 

He  said  full  suth  of  all  that  he  did  say." 

Scho  brocht  all  furth,  and  on  the  burd  cowd  lay 
Baith  breid  and  wyne,  and  vthir  thiugis  moir  380 

Cunyngis  and  caponis,  as  ^e  haif  hard  befoir, 
Pertrikis  and  pluveris  befoir  thame  hes  scho  brocht. 
The  freir  knew  weill,  and  saw  thair  wantit  nocht ; 
But  all  wes  furth  brocht,  evin  at  his  devyiss. 

Quhen  Symone  saw  it  appinit  on  this  wyiss,         385 
He  had  grit  wondir,  and  sweris  be  the  mone 
That  Freir  Robert  weill  his  dett  had  done : 
"  He  may  be  callit  ane  man  of  grit  science, 
Sa  suddanly  maid  all  this  purviance 
Hes  brocht  us  heir,  throw  his  grit  subteltie,  390 

And  throw  his  knawlege  in  filosophie  : 
In  ane  gud  tyme  it  wes  quhen  he  come  hidder. 
Now  fill  the  cop  that  we  ma  drink  togidder, 
And  mak  gud  cheir  eftir  this  langsum  day, 
For  I  haif  riddin  ane  woundir  wilsome  way.  395 

Now,  God  be  lovit,  heir  is  suffisance 
Vnto  ws  all  throw  ^our  gud  govirnance." 

And  then  annone  thay  drank  evin  round  abowt 
Of  Gascon  wyne :  the  freiris  playit  cop  owt. 
Thay  sportit  thame  and  makis  mirry  cheir  400 

With  sangis  lowd,  baith  Symone  and  the  freir, 


148  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

And  on  this  wyiss  the  lang  nicht  thay  ourdraif; 

No  thing  thay  want  that  thay  desyrd  to  haif. 

Then  Symone  said  to  the  gudwyf  in  by, 

"  Come  heir,  fair  dame;  and  sett  2ow  doun  me  hy,  405 

And  tak  pairte  of  sic  gud  as  we  haif  heir; 

And  hairtly  I  ^ow  pray  to  thank  this  freir 

Of  his  bening  grit  busines  and  cure 

That  he  lies  done  to  us  vpoun  this  flnre, 

And  brocht  us  meit  and  drink  haboundantlie,  410 

Quhairfoir  of  richt  we  aucht  mirry  to  be." 

Bot  all  thair  sport,  quhen  thay  war  maist  at  eiss, 

Vnto  our  Deme  it  wes  but  littill  pleiss. 

For  vthir  thing  thair  wes  in  to  hir  thocht. 

Scho  wes  so  red,  hir  hairt  wes  ay  on  flocht,  415 

That  throw  the  freir  scho  sowld  discoverit  be. 

To  him  scho  lukit  oft  tymes  effeiritlie, 

And  ay  disparit  in  hir  hairt  wes  scho, 

That  he  had  witt  of  all  her  purveance  to. 

Thus  satt  scho  still  and  wist  no  vdir  wane,  420 

Quhat  evir  thay  say,  scho  lute  him  all  allane, 

Bot  scho  drank  with  thame  in-to  cumpany 

With  fenseit  cheir,  and  hairt  full  wo  and  bevy. 

Bot  thay  wer  blyth  annwche,  God  wait,  and  sang, 

For  ay  the  wyne  wes  rakand  thame  amang;  425 

Quhill  at  the  last  thay  woix  richt  blyth  ilk  one. 

Than  Symone  said  unto  the  freir  annone, 
"I  mervell  mikill  how  that  this  may  be, 
In  till  schort  tyme  that  }e  sa  suddanlye 
Hes  brocht  to  ws  sa  mony  denteis  deir."  430 

"  Thairof  haif  }e  no  mervell,"  quoth  the  freir; 
"I  haif  anc  pege  full  prevy  of  my  awin, 
Quhen  evir  I  list  will  cum  to  me  vnkuawin, 


WILLIAM   DTJNBAE.  149 

And  bring  to  me  sic  thing  as  I  will  haif: 

Quhat  evir  I  list  it  neidis  me  nocht  to  craif.  435 

Thairfoir  be  blyth,  and  tak  in  pacience, 

And  trest  }e  weill  I  sail  do  diligence, 

Gif  that  }e  list,  or  thinkis  to  haif  moir, 

It  salbe  had,  and  I  sail  stand  thairfoir, 

Incontinent  that  samyn  sail  ^e  se  ;  440 

Bot  I  protest  that  }e  keip  it  previe, 

Latt  no  man  wit  that  I  can  do  sic  thing." 

Than  Symone  swoir  and  said,  "  Be  hevynnis  King 

It  salbe  kepit  prevy,  as  for  me. 

But,  bruder  deir,  }our  servand  wald  I  se,  445 

Gif  it  30W  pleiss,  that  we  may  drynk  togidder, 

For  I  wait  nocht  gif  ^e  ma  ay  cum  bidder 

Quhen  that  we  want  our  neidis  sic  as  this." 

The  freir  said,  "  Nay,  so  mot  I  haif  hevynis  bliss, 
3ow  to  haif  the  sicht  of  my  servand  450 

It  can  nocht  be ;  ^e  sail  weill  undirstand 
That  ^e  may  se  him  graithly  in  his  awin  kynd, 
Bot  ^e  annone  sowld  go  owt  of  }our  mynd, 
He  is  so  fowll  and  vgly  for  to  se ; 
I  dar  nocht  awnter  for  to  tak  on  me  455 

To  bring  him  hidder  heir  in-to  our  sicht, 
And  namely  now,  so  lait  in-to  the  nicht ; 
Bot  gif  it  wer  on  sic  a  maner  wyiss 
Him  to  translait  or  ellis  dissagyiss 
Fra  his  awin  kynd  in-to  ane  vder  stait."  4G0 

Than  Symone  said,  "  I  mak  no  moir  debait ; 
As  pleisis  }ow  so  lykis  it  to  me. 
As  evir  }e  list ;  bot  fane  I  wald  him  se." 

"  In  till  quhat  kynd  sail  I  him  gar  appeir?  " 
Than  Symone  said.     "  In  liknes  of  a  freir,  465 


150  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

In  quhyt  cullour,  richt  as  2our  self  it  war; 

For  quhyt  cullour  will  na  body  deir." 

Freir  Robert  said,  that  swa  it  cowld  nocht  be 

"For  sic  caussis  as  }e  may  weill  foirse, 

That  he  compeir  in  to  our  habeit  quhyt :  470 

Vntill  our  ordour  it  wer  a  grit  dispyte 

That  ony  sic  vnworthy  wicht  as  he 

In  till  our  habeit  men  sowld  behald  or  se  ; 

Bot,  sen  it  pleissis  2ow  that  ar  heir, 

3e  sail  him  se  in  liknes  of  a  freir,  475 

In  habeit  blak,  it  was  his  kynd  to  weir, 

In  to  sic  wyiss  that  he  sail  no  man  deir, 

Gif  }e  so  do,  and  rewll  sow  at  all  wyiss, 

To  bald  20 w  cloiss  and  still  at  my  devyiss, 

Quhat  evir  it  be  2e  owdir  se  or  heir,  480 

3e  speik  no  word,  nor  mak  no  kynd  of  steir, 

Bot  hald  2o\v  cloiss,  quhill  I  haif  done  my  cure." 

Than  said  he,  "Symone,  ^e  mon  be  on  the  flure, 

Neir  hand  besyd,  with  staff  in  to  ^our  hand : 

Haif  Je  no  dreid,  I  sail  }ow  ay  warrand."  485 

Than  Symone  said,  "  I  assent  that  it  be  swa :  " 
And  vp  he  stert,  and  gat  a  libberla 
In-to  his  hand,  and  on  the  flure  he  stert, 
Sum  thing  effrayit,  thocht  stalwart  wes  his  hairt. 
Than  to  the  freir  said  Symone  verry  sone,  490 

"  Now  tell  me,  maister,  quhat  ^e  will  haif  done?" 
"  No  thing,"  he  said,  "  bot  hald  }ow  cloiss  and  still : 
Quhat  evir  I  do,  tak  2e  gud  tent  thairtill  ; 
And  neir  the  dur  }e  hyd  }ow  prevely, 
Aud  quhen  I  bid  jow  strek,  strek  hardely  ;  495 

In  to  the  nek  se  that  ^e  hit  him  richt." 
"That  sail  I  warrand,"  quoth  he, "with  all  my  micht." 


WILLIAM    DUNBAR.  151 

Thus  on  the  flure  I  leif  him  standand  still, 
Bydand  his  tyrae ;  and  turne  agane  I  will, 
How  that  the  freir  did  take  his  buke  in  hy,  500 

And  turnit  our  the  levis  full  besely 
Ane  full  lang  space  ;  and  quhen  he  had  done  swa, 
To  wart  the  troch,  withowttin  wordis  ma, 
He  gois  belyfe,  and  on  this  wyiss  sayis  he : 
"Ha,  how!  Hurlybass!  now  I  coniure  the  505 

That  thou  vpryss  and  sone  to  me  appeir, 
In  habeit  blak  in  liknes  of  a  freir  : 
Owt  of  this  troch,  quhair  that  thow  dois  ly, 
Thow  rax  the  sone,  and  mak  no  dyn  nor  cry  ; 
Thow  tumbill  our  the  troch  that  we  may  se,  510 

And  unto  us  thow  schaw  the  oppinlie. 
And  in  this  place  se  that  thow  no  man  greif ; 
Bot  draw  thy  handis  boith  in  to  thy  sleif, 
And  pull  thy  cowll  down  owttour  thy  face; 
Thow  may  thank  God  that  thow  gettis  sic  a  grace !   515 
Thairfoir  thow  turss  the  to  thyne  awin  ressett ; 
Se  this  be  done,  and  mak  no  more  debait. 
In  thy  departing  se  thow  mak  no  deray 
Vnto  no  wicht,  bot  freely  pass  thy  way : 
And  in  this  place  se  that  thow  cum  no  moir  520 

Bot  I  command  the,  or  ellis  the  charge  befoir : 
And  our  the  stair  se  that  thow  ga  gud  speid  : 
Gif  thow  dois  nocht,  on  thy  awin  perell  beid." 

With  that  the  freir  that  vndir  the  troch  lay 
Raxit  him  sone,  bot  he  wes  in  a  fray,  525 

And  vp  he  raiss,  and  wist  na  bettir  wayn, 
Bot  of  the  troch  he  tumlit  our  the  stane : 
Syne  fra  the  samyn  quhairin  he  thocht  him  lang, 
Vnto  the  dure  he  preisit  him  to  gang, 


152  WILLIAM    DUNBAR. 

With  hevy  cheir  and  dreiry  contenance,  530 

For  nevir  befoir  him  happinnit  sic  a  chance. 

And  quhen  Freir  Robert  saw  him  gangand  by, 

Vnto  the  gudman  full  lowdly  cowd  he  cry, 

"  Stryk  herdely,  for  now  is  tyme  to  the  !  " 

With  that  Symone  a  felloun  flap  lait  fie ;  535 

With  his  burdoun  he  hit  him  on  the  nek. 

He  was  sa  ferce  he  fell  owttour  the  sek 

And  brak  his  heid  vpoun  a  mustard  stane. 

Be  this  Freir  J  oh  me  attour  the  stair  is  gane 
In  sic  wyiss  that  mist  he  hes  the  trap,  540 

And  in  ane  myre  he  fell,  sic  wes  his  hap, 
Well  fourty  futis  of  breid,  under  the  stair; 
3eit  gat  he  up  with  clething  nothing  fair  : 
Full  drerelie  upoun  his  feit  he  stude, 
And  throw  the  myre  full  smertly  than  he  2ude,       545 
And  our  the  wall  he  clam  richt  haistely, 
Quhilk  round  abowt  wes  laid  with  stanis  dry. 
Of  his  eschaping  in  hairt  he  wes  full  fane; 
I  trow  he  salbe  laith  to  cum  agane. 

With  that  Freir  Robert  start  abak,  and  saw        550 
Quhair  the  gudman  lay  sa  woundir  law 
Vpoun  the  flu  re,  and  bleidand  wes  his  heid  : 
He  stert  to  him,  and  went  he  had  bene  deid  ; 
And  clawcht  him  up,  withowttin  wordis  moir, 
And  to  the  dure  delyverly  him  bure  ;  555 

And  fra  the  wind  wes  blawin  twyiss  in  his  face, 
Than  he  ourcome  within  a  lytill  space. 
And  then  Freir  Robert  franyt  at  him  fast 
Quhat  ailit  him  to  be  so  soir  agast? 
He  said,  "  }one  freir  hes  maid  me  thus  gait  say."     560 
"  Lat  be,"  quoth  he,  "  the  werst  is  all  away. 


WILLIAM   DUNBAK.  153 

Mak  rnirry,  man,  and  se  ^e  raurne  na  mair, 

3e  haif  him  strikin  quyt  owttour  the  stair. 

I  saw  him  slip,  gif  I  the  suth  can  tell, 

Doun  our  the  stair,  in  till  a  myr  he  fell.  565 

Bot  lat  him  ga,  he  wes  a  graceles  gaist ; 

And  boun  pw  to  30m*  bed,  for  it  is  best." 

Thus  Symonis  heid  vpoune  the  stane  wes  brokin, 
And  our  the  stair  the  freir  in  my  re  hes  loppin, 
And,  tap  our  tail],  he  fyld  wes  woundir  ill ;  570 

And  Alesone  on  na  wyiss  gat  hir  will. 
This  is  the  story  that  happinnit  of  that  freir; 
No  moir  thair  is,  but  Chryst  us  help  most  deir. 


154  GAWIN    DOUGLAS. 


GAWIN   DOUGLAS. 


(Iawis-  Douglas,  born  in  1475,  belonged  to  one  of  the  most  illustrious 
families  of  Scotland,  being  the  third  son  of  Archibald,  Earl  of  Angus,  sur- 
named  "  Bell-the-Cat."  He  sin. lied  at  the  University  of  si.  Andrews,  and 
taking  priest's  orders,  w;is  rapidly  advanced  in  the  Church.  After  the 
marriage  of  bis  nephew,  the  young  Earl  of  Angus,  with  the  widowed  Queen 
Margaret,  the  poet  was  nominated  to  the  Archbishopric  of  St.  Andrews, 
the  primacy  of  Scotland.    This  high  office,  however,  he  <li<l  not  obtain; 

but,  aftermuch  trouble,  was  < secrated  Bishop  of  Dunkeld.    The  tickle 

Margaret  repudiated  ber  husband  in  1521,  and  Douglas  was  deprived  of  his 
bishopric.  He  was  in  England  at  the  time,  and  died  in  London  in  1522. 
His  works  arc  The  Police  of  Honour  and  King  Hart,  both  allegorical  poems, 
and  a  translation  of  the  AeneU  into  Scottish  verse;  the  earliest  English 
version  of  any  classic.  To  each  book  Douglas  prefixes  a  long  original  pro- 
logue   and  in  these  prologues  we  have  his  most  interesting  work. 


Proloug  of  the  Sevynt  Bulk  of  Eneados. 

As  brycht  Phebus,  schene  souerane,  bevynnis  e, 

The  opposit  held  of  his  cbyinmis  hie, 

Cleir  schynand  bemys,  and  goldin  symmeris  hew, 

In  lattoun  colour  altering  haill  of  new; 

Kithing  no  syng  of  beyt  be  bis  visage,  5 

So  neir  approcbit  he  his  wyntir  staige  ; 

Redy  he  was  to  entir  the  thrid  morne 

In  cloudy  skyis  vndir  Capricorn e. 

All  thocht  be  be  the  hart  and  lamp  of  hevin, 

Forfeblit  wolx  his  lemand  giltly  lewyne,  10 

Tli row  the  declyning  of  bis  large  round  speir. 

The  frosty  regioun  ringis  of  the  ^cir, 


GAWIN   DOUGLAS.  155 

The  tyme  and  sessoune  bitter  cald  and  paill, 

Thai  schort  days  that  clerkis  clepe  brumaill ; 

Quhen  brym  blastis  of  the  northyne  art  15 

Ourquhelmit  had  Neptunus  in  his  cart, 

And  all-to-schaik  the  levis  of  the  treis, 

The  rageand  storm  ourwalterand  wally  seis ; 

Reveris  ran  reid  on  spait  with  watteir  broune, 

And  burnis  hurlis  all  their  bankis  downe,  20 

And  landbrist  rumland  rudely  wyth  sic  beir, 

So  loud  ne  rummist  wyld  lioun  or  beir. 

Fludis  monstreis,  sic  as  raeirswyne  or  quhailis, 

For  the  tempest  law  in  the  deip  devallyis. 

Mars  Occident,  retrograide  in  his  speir,  25 

Provocand  stryff,  regnit  as  lord  that  }eir ; 

Rany  Orioune  wyth  his  stormy  face 

Bewalit  of  the  schipman  by  his  rays; 

Frawart  Saturne,  chill  of  complexioune, 

Throw  quhais  aspect  derth  and  infectioune  30 

Bene  causit  oft,  and  mortale  pestilens, 

Went  progressiue  the  greis  of  his  ascens  ; 

And  lusty  Hebe,  Junois  douchtir  gay, 

Stud  spul^eit  of  hir  office  and  array. 

The  soill  ysowpit  into  wattir  wak,  35 

The  firmament  ourkest  with  rokis  blak, 

The  ground  fadyt,  and  fauch  wolx  all  the  feildis, 

Montayne  toppis  sleikit  wyth  snaw  ourheildis, 

On  raggit  rolkis  of  hard  harsk  quhyne  stane, 

With  frosyne  frontis  cauld  clynty  clewis  schane ;       40 

Bewtie  wes  lost,  and  barrand  schew  the  landis ; 

With  frostis  haire  ourfret  the  feildis  standis. 

Soure  bitter  bubbis,  and  the  schowris  snell, 

Semyt  on  the  sward  ane  similitude  of  hell, 


150  GAWTN   DOUGLAS. 

Reducyng  to  our  mind,  in  every  steid,  45 

Goustly  schaddois  of  eild  and  grisly  deid, 

Thik  drumly  scuggis  dirknit  so  the  hevyne. 

Dym  skyis  oft  furth  warpit  feirfull  levyne, 

Flaggis  of  fyir,  and  mony  felloun  flawe, 

Scliarp  soppis  of  sleit,  and  of  the  snypand  snawe.      50 

The  dowy  dichis  war  all  donk  and  wait, 

The  law  vaille  flodderit  all  wyth  spait, 

The  plane  stretis  and  every  hie  way 

Full  of  fluschis,  doubbis,  myre  and  clay. 

Laggerit  leys  wallowit  farnys  schewe,  55 

Broune  muris  kithit  thair  wysnit  mossy  hewe, 

Bank,  bra,  and  boddum  blanschit  wolx  and  bair; 

For  gurll  weddir  growyt  bestis  haire  ; 

The  wynd  maid  wayfe  the  reid  weyd  on  the  dyk, 

Bedovin  in  donkis  deyp  was  every  syk  ;  60 

Our  craggis,  and  the  front  of  rochis  seyre, 

Hang  grit  isch  schoklis  lang  as  ony  spere ; 

The  grund  stude  barrand,  widderit,  dosk  and  gray, 

Herbis,  flouris  and  gersis  wallowit  away  ; 

Woddis,  forestis,  wyth  nakyt  bewis  blout,  65 

Stud  strypyt  of  thair  weyd  in  every  hout. 

So  bustuysly  Boreas  his  bugill  blew, 

The  deyr  full  dern  dovnc  in  the  dalis  drew  ; 

Smal  byrdis  fiokand  throw  thik  ronnis  thrang, 

In  chyrmyng  and  with  cheping  changit  thair  sang,    70 

Sekand  hidlis,  and  hirnys  thaim  to  hyde 

Fra  feirfull  thudis  of  the  tempestuus  tyde. 

The  wattir-lynnis  routtis,  and  every  lynde 

(Juhyslyt  and  brayt  of  the  swouchand  wynde. 

Puire  laboraris  and  byssy  husband  men  75 

Went  wayt  and  wery  draglyt  in  the  fen  ; 


GAWIN   DOUGLAS.  157 

The  silly  scheip  and  thair  lytill  hyrd  gromis 

Lurkis  vndir  le  of  bankis,  wodys,  and  bromys  ; 

And  wthir  dantit  gretar  bestial, 

Within  thair  stabillis  sesyt  into  stall,  80 

Sic  as  rnulis,  horsis,  oxin  and  ky, 

Fed  tuskit  baris,  and  fat  swyne  in  sty, 

Sustenit  war  by  mannis  gouernance 

On  hervist  and  on  symmeris  purviance. 

Widequhair  with  fors  so  Eolus  schouttis  schyll  85 

In  this  congelyt  sessioune  scharp  and  chyll, 

The  callour  air,  penetrative  and  puire, 

Dasyng  the  bluide  in  every  creature, 

Maid  seik  warm  stovis,  and  beyne  fyris  hoyt, 

In  double  garmont  cled  and  wyly  coyt,  90 

Wyth  mychty  drink,  and  meytis  confortive, 

Agayne  the  storme  wyntre  for  to  strive. 

Repaterit  weill,  and  by  the  chymnay  beykyt, 
At  evin  be  tyme  dovne  a  bed  I  me  streikit, 
Warpit  my  heid,  kest  on  claythis  thrinfauld,  95 

For  till  expell  the  perrellus  peirsand  cauld. 
I  crocit  me,  syne  bownit  for  to  sleip, 
Quhair,  lemand  throw  the  glas,  I  did  tak  keip 
Latonia,  the  lang  irksum  nycht; 

Hir  subtell  blenkis  sched  ane  wattry  lycht,  100 

Full  hie  wp  quhyrlyt  in  hir  regioune, 
Till  Phebus  rycht  in  oppositioune, 
Into  the  Crab  hir  propir  mansioune  draw, 
Haldand  the  hycht  allthocht  the  son  went  law. 
Hornit  Hebawde,  quhilk  clepe  we  the  nycht  owle,  105 
Within  hir  caverne  hard  I  schout  and  jowle  ; 
Laithlie  of  forme,  wyth  crukit  camschow  beik, 
Vgsum  to  heir  was  hir  wyld  elriche  screik : 


158  GAWIN    DOUGLAS. 

The  wyld  geis  claking  eik  by  nychtis  tyde 

Attoure  the  citie  fleand  hard  I  glyde.  110 

On  slummyr  I  slaid  full  sad,  and  sleipt  sownd 
Quhill  the  ori^ont  wpwart  gan  rebound. 
Phebus  crownit  byrd,  the  nychtis  orloger, 
Clappand  bis  wyngis  thryse  had  crawin  cleir. 
Approching  neir  the  greiking  of  the  day,  115 

Wythin  my  bed  I  waikynnit  quhair  I  lay, 
So  fast  declinis  Synthea  the  mone, 
And  kais  keklis  on  the  ruiff  abone. 
Palamedes  byrdis  crouping  in  the  sky, 
Fleand  on  randoune  schapin  lik  ane  Y,  120 

And  as  ane  trumpat  rang  thair  vocis  soun, 
Quhais  cryis  bene  pronosticatioun 
Off  wyndy  blastis  and  ventositeis. 
Fast  by  my  chalmir,  in  heych  wysnit  treis, 
The  soir  gled  quhislis  loud  wyth  mony  ane  pew,       125 
Quhairby  the  day  was  dawin  weil  I  knew ; 
Bad  beit  the  fyire,  and  the  candill  alycht, 
Syne  blissit  me,  and,  in  my  wedis  dycht, 
Ane  schot  wyndo  vnschet  a  lytill  on  char, 
Persawit  the  mornyng  bla,  wan,  and  har,  130 

Wyth  cloudy  gum  and  rak  ourquhelmyt  the  air, 
The  soul^e  stythlie,  hasart,  rowch  and  hair, 
Branchis  brattlyng,  and  blayknit  schew  the  brays, 
With  hyrstis  harsk  of  waggand  wyndilstrays  ; 
The  dew  droppis  congelyt  on  stibyll  and  rynd,         135 
And  scharp  hailstanis,  mortfundit  of  kynd, 
Hoppand  on  tbe  thak  and  on  the  causay  by. 
The  schot  I  clossit  and  drew  inwart  in  by, 
Chiverand  for  cauld,  the  sessoun  was  so  snell ; 
Schup  wyth  hait  flambe  to  fleme  the  fresyng  fell.     140 


GAWIN    DOUGLAS.  159 


Prolong  of  the  Twelt  Bulk. 

Dyonea,  nycht  hyrd,  and  wach  of  day, 

The  staruis  chasit  of  the  hevin  away, 

Dame  Cynthea  dovn  rolling  in  the  see, 

And  Venus  lost  the  bevvte  of  hir  e, 

Fleand  eschamyt  within  Cylenyus  cave;  5 

Mars  onbydrew,  for  all  his  grundin  glave, 

Nor  frawart  Saturn,  from  his  mortall  speyr, 

Durst  langar  in  the  firmament  appeir, 

Bot  stall  abak  }ond  in  his  regioun  far 

Behynd  the  circulat  warld  of  Jupiter;  10 

Nycthemyne,  affrayit  of  the  lycht, 

Went  vndir  covert,  for  gone  was  the  nycht ; 

As  fresch  Aurora,  to  mychty  Tythone  spous, 

Ischit  of  hir  safron  bed  and  evir  hous, 

In  crammysin  cled  and  granit  violat,  15 

With  sanguyne  cape,  the  selvage  purpurat, 

Onschot  the  windois  of  hyr  large  hall, 

Spred  all  wyth  rosys,  and  full  of  balm  ryall, 

And  eik  the  hevinly  portis  crystallyne 

Vpwarpis  braid,  the  warld  to  illumyn.  20 

The  twinkling  stremowris  of  the  orient 

Sched  purpour  sprangis  with  gold  and  asure  ment, 

Persand  the  sabill  barmkyn  nocturnall, 

Bet  doun  the  skyis  clowdy  mantill  wall : 

Eous  the  steid,  with  ruby  hamis  reid,  25 

Abuf  the  seyis  lyftis  furth  his  heid, 

Of  cullour  soyr,  and  sum  deill  brovn  as  berry, 

For  to  alichtyn  and  glaid  our  emyspery, 


160  GAWIN   DOUGLAS. 

The  fhunbe  owtbrastyng  at  his  neysthyrlys  ; 

Sa  fast  Phaeton  vvyth  the  quhip  him  quhirlys,  30 

To  roll  Apollo  his  faderis  goldin  chair, 

That  schrowdyth  all  the  hevynnis  and  the  ayr ; 

Quhill  schortly,  with  the  blesand  torch  of  day, 

Abil^eit  in  his  lemand  fresch  array, 

Furth  of  hys  palyce  ryall  ischyt  Phebus,  35 

Wyth  goldin  crovn  and  vissage  gloryus, 

Crysp  haris,  brycht  as  chrysolite  or  topace, 

For  quhais  hew  mycht  nane  behald  his  face, 

The  fyry  sparkis  brastyng  fra  his  ene, 

To  purge  the  ayr,  and  gylt  the  tendyr  grene,  40 

Defundand  from  hys  sege  etheriall 

Glaid  influent  aspectis  celicall. 

Before  his  regale  hie  magnificens 

Mysty  vapour  vpspringand  sweit  as  sens, 

In  smoky  soppis  of  donk  devvis  wak,  45 

Moich  hailsum  stovis  ourheildand  the  slak  ; 

The  aureat  fanys  of  hys  trone  souerane 

With  glyterand  glans  ourspred  the  occiane, 

The  large  fludis  lemand  all  of  lycht, 

Bot  with  a  blenk  of  his  supernale  sycht.  50 

For  to  behald,  it  was  a  gloir  to  se 

The  stabillit  wyndis  and  the  cawmyt  see, 

The  soft  sessoun,  the  firmament  serene, 

The  lowne  illumynat  air,  and  fyrth  amene ; 

The  syluer  scaiyt  fyschis  on  the  greit  55 

Ourthwort  cleir  stremis  sprynkland  for  the  heyt, 

Wyth  fynnis  schynand  brovn  as  synopar, 

And  chyssell  talis  stowrand  heyr  and  thar ; 

The  new  cullour  alychtnyng  all  the  landis, 

Forgane  thir  stannyris  schane  the  beryall  strandis,    60 


GAWIN   DOUGLAS.  161 

Quhill  the  reflex  of  the  diurnal  bemis 
The  bene  bonkis  kest  full  of  variant  glemis, 
And  lusty  Flora  did  hyr  blomis  spreid 
Vndir  the  feit  of  Phebus  sul^art  steid ; 
The  swardit  soyll  enbrovd  vvyth  selcouth  hewis  65 

Wod  and  forest  obumbrat  with  thar  bewis 
Quhois  blissfull  branchis,  porturat  on  the  grund, 
With  schaddois  schene  schew  rochis  rubycund : 
Towris,  turattis,  kyrnellis,  pynnaclis  hie 
Of  kirkis,  castellis,  and  ilke  fair  cite,  70 

Stude  payntit,  euery  fyall,  fane,  and  stage, 
Apoun  the  plane  grund,  by  thar  awin  vmbrage. 
Of  Eolus  north  blastis  havand  no  dreyd, 
The  sul^e  spred  hyr  braid  bosum  on  breid, 
3ephyrus  confortabill  inspiratioun  75 

For  till  ressaue  law  in  hyr  barm  adoun ; 
The  cornis  croppis  and  the  beris  new  brerd 
Wyth  glaidsum  garmond  revesting  the  erd  ; 
So  thik  the  plantis  sprang  in  euery  pece. 
The  feyldis  ferleis  of  thar  fructuus  flece ;  80 

Byssy  dame  Ceres,  and  provd  Pryapus, 
Reiosyng  of  the  planis  plenteus 
Plenyst  sa  plesand  and  maist  propirly, 
By  natur  nurist  wondir  nobilly. 

On  the  fertill  skyrt  lappis  of  the  ground  85 

Streking  on  breid  ondyr  the  cirkill  rovnd, 
The  variant  vestur  of  the  venust  vaill 
Schrowdis  the  scherald  fur,  and  euery  faill 
Ourfret  with  ful^eis  of  figuris  full  diuers, 
The  spray  bysprent  with  spryngand  sproutis  dispers ;  90 
For  callour  humour  on  the  dewy  nycht, 
Rendryng  sum  place  the  gers-pilis  thar  hycht 
11 


162  GAWIN    DOUGLAS. 

Als  far  as  catal,  the  laug  symmeris  day, 

Had  in  thar  pastur  eyt  and  knyp  away ; 

And  blisfull  blossummis  in  the  blomyt  ^ard  95 

Submittis  thar  hedis  in  the  3ong  sonnis  salfgard ; 

Ive  levis  rank  ourspred  the  barmkin  wall, 

The  blomyt  hawthorn  cled  his  pikis  all ; 

Furth  of  fresch  burgionis  the  wyne  grapis  }ing 

Eudlang  the  treil^eis  dyd  on  twystis  hing.  100 

The  lowkyt  buttonis  on  the  gemmyt  treis 

Ourspredand  ley  vis  of  naturis  tapestreis  ; 

Soft  gresy  verdour  eftir  balmy  schowris 

On  curland  stalkis  smyling  to  thar  flowris  ; 

Behaldand  thame  sa  mony  diuers  hew,  105 

Sum  pers,  sum  paill,  sum  burnet,  and  sum  blew, 

Sum  grece,  sum  gowlis,  sum  purpour,  sum  sangwane, 

Blanch  it  or  brovne,  fawch  fallow  mony  ane, 

Sum  hevynly  cullorit  in  celestiall  gre, 

Sum  wattry  hewit  as  the  haw  wally  see,  110 

And  sum  depart  in  freklys  red  and  quhyte, 

Sum  brycht  as  gold  with  aureat  levis  lyte. 

The  dasy  dyd  on  breid  hir  crownell  smaill, 

And  euery  flour  onlappit  in  the  daill ; 

In  battill  gyrs  burgionys  the  banwart  wyld,  115 

The  clavyr,  catcluke,  and  the  cammamyld  ; 

The  flour  delice  furth  spred  his  hevinly  hew, 

Flour  dammes,  and  columby  blank  and  blew ; 

Seyr  downis  smaill  on  dent  de  lion  sprang, 

The  }ing  grene  blomyt  straberry  levis  amaug;         120 

Gymp  gerraflouris  thar  royn  levys  vnschet, 

Fresch  prymros  and  the  purpour  violet ; 

The  roys  knoppis,  tetand  furth  thar  heyd, 

Gan  chyp,  and  kyth  thar  Vermel  lippis  red, 


GAWIN   DOUGLAS.  163 

Crysp  scarlet  levis  sum  scheddand,  baith  attanis      125 

Kest  fragrant  smell  amyd  from  goldin  granis ; 

Hevinly  lylleis,  with  lokerand  toppis  quhyte, 

Oppynnit  and  schew  thar  creistis  redymyte, 

The  balmy  vapour  from  thar  sylkyn  croppis 

Distylland  hailsum  sugurat  hunny  droppis,  130 

And  syluer  schakaris  gan  fra  levis  hyng, 

Wyth  crystal  sprayngis  on  the  verdour  }yng ; 

The  plane  pulderyt  with  semely  settis  sovnd 

Bedyit  full  of  dewy  peirlis  rovnd, 

So  that  ilk  burgioun,  syon,  herb,  and  flour,  135 

Wolx  all  enbalmyt  of  the  fresch  liquour, 

And  bathit  hait  did  in  dulce  humouris  fleit, 

Quharof  the  beis  wrocht  thar  hunny  sweit, 

By  michty  Phebus  operatiounis, 

In  sappy  subtell  exalatiounis.  140 

Forgane  the  cummyn  of  this  prince  potent, 

Redolent  odour  vp  from  rutis  sprent, 

Hailsum  of  smell  as  ony  spicery, 

Tryakle,  droggis  or  electuary, 

Seroppis,  sewane,  sugour,  and  synamome,  145 

Precyus  invnctment,  salve,  or  fragrant  pome, 

Aromatik  gummis,  or  ony  fyne  potioun, 

Must,  myr,  aloes,  or  confectioun. 

Ane  paradice  it  semyt  to  draw  neyr 

Thyr  gal^art  gardyngis  and  ilke  greyn  herbere.       150 

Maist  amyabill  walxis  the  amerant  medis  : 

Swannys  swouchis  throw  owt  the  rysp  and  redis, 

Our  al  thir  lowys  and  the  fludis  gray 

Seyrsand  by  kynd  a  place  quhar  thai  suld  lay : 

Phebus  red  fowle  hys  coral  creist  can  steyr,  155 

Oft  streking  furth  hys  hekkyll,  crawand  cleir, 


164  GAWIN   DOUGLAS. 

Amyd  the  wortis  and  the  rutys  gent 

Pykland  his  meit  in  alleis  quhar  he  went, 

Hys  wifis,  Toppa  and  Pertelok,  hym  by 

As  byrd  al  tyme  that  hantis  bygamy :  160 

The  payntit  povne,  pasand  with  ploinys  gym, 

Kest  vp  his  taill,  a  provd  plesand  quheil  rym, 

Yschrowdyt  in  his  fedramine  brycht  and  schene, 

Schapand  the  prent  of  Argus  hundreth  ene  : 

Amang  the  brounis  of  the  olyve  twestis  165 

Seyr  small  fowlis  wirkand  crafty  nestis, 

Endlang  the  hedgeis  thyk,  and  on  rank  akis, 

Ilk  byrd  reiosyng  with  thar  myrthfull  makis. 

In  corneris  and  cleir  fenystaris  of  glas 

Full  byssely  Aragne  wevand  was,  170 

To  knit  hyr  nettis  and  hir  wobbys  sle, 

Tharwith  to  caucht  the  myghe  and  littill  fle : 

So  dusty  puldyr  vpstowris  in  euery  streyt, 

Quhill  corby  gaspyt  for  the  fervent  heyt. 

Vnder  the  bewys  beyn  in  lusty  valis,  175 

Within  fermans  and  parkis  cloys  of  palys, 

The  bustuus  bukkis  rakis  furth  on  raw  ; 

Heyrdis  of  hertis  throw  the  thyk  wod  schaw, 

Baith  the  brokettis,  and  wyth  brayd  burnyst  tyndis ; 

The  sprutlyt  calvys  sowkand  the  reid  hyndis,  180 

The  }ong  fownis  followand  the  dun  dayis, 

Kyddis  skippand  throw  ronuis  eftir  rayis. 

In  lyssouris  and  on  leys  litill  lainmis 

Full  tait  and  trig  socht  bletand  to  thar  daramis. 

Tydy  ky  lowys,  veilys  by  thame  rynnis  ;  185 

All  snog  and  slekyt  worth  thir  bestis  skynnis. 

On  salt  stremis  wolx  Doryda  and  Thetis, 

By  rynnand  strandis  Nyiuphis  and  Naedes, 


GAWIN   DOUGLAS.       ,  165 

Syk  as  we  clepe  wenchis  and  damysellis, 

In  gresy  gravis  wandrand  by  spring  wellis,  190 

Of  blomyt  branchis  and  flowris  quhite  and  rede 

Plettand  thar  lusty  chaiplettis  for  thar  hede ; 

Sum  sing  sangis,  dansis  ledys,  and  rovndis, 

Wyth  vocis  schill,  quhill  all  the  daill  resovndis ; 

Quharso  thai  walk  into  thar  caraling,  195 

For  amorus  lays  doith  all  the  rochis  ryng. 

Ane  sang,  "  The  schip  salis  our  the  salt  fame, 

Will  bring  thir  merchandis  and  my  lemman  hame ;  " 

Sum  other  singis,  "  I  will  be  blyth  and  lycht, 

Myne  hart  is  lent  apon  sa  gudly  wycht."  200 

And  thochtfull  luffaris  rowmys  to  and  fro, 

To  leis  thar  payne,  and  plene  thar  joly  wo  ; 

Eftyr  thar  gys,  now  syngand,  now  in  sorow, 

With  hartis  pensyve,  the  lang  symmeris  morow : 

Sum  ballettis  lyst  endyte  of  his  lady,  205 

Sum  levis  in  hoip,  and  sum  aluterly 

Disparyt  is,  and  sa  quyte  owt  of  grace, 

His  purgatory  he  fyndis  in  euery  place. 

The  merll,  the  mavys,  and  the  nychtingale, 

With  mery  notis  myrthfully  furth  brest,  210 

Enforsing  thame  quha  mycht  do  clynk  it  best. 

The  cowschet  crowdis  and  pirkis  on  the  rys, 

The  styrlyng  changeis  diuers  stevynnys  nys, 

The  sparrow  chyrmis  in  the  wallis  clyft, 

Goldspynk  and  lyntquhyte  fordynnand  the  lyft ;      215 

The  gukgo  galis,  and  so  quytteris  the  quaill, 

Quhil  ryveris  rerdyt,  schawis,  and  euery  vaill, 

And  tender  twystis  trymlyt  on  the  treis, 

For  byrdis  sang  and  bemyng  of  the  beis. 


166  SIR   DAVID   LYNDSAY. 


SIR   DAVID   LYNDSAY. 


Sir  David  Lyndsay  of  the  Mount  was  born  in  1400.  When  yet  a  young 
man  he  was  attached  to  the  Court,  and  was  the  special  attendant  and  com- 
panion of  the  infant  prince,  afterwards  James  V.,  preserving  this  position 
after  the  battle  of  Flodden  had  raised  his  pupil  to  the  throne.  From  these 
relations  there  grew  an  affectionate  familiarity  between  Lyndsay  and  the 
young  King,  of  which  the  poet  took  advantage  in  giving  his  sovereign  wise 
and  virtuous  counsels  and  admonitions,  couched  in  verse.  In  152!i  he  was 
made  Lyon  King-at-Arms,  or  Chief  Herald  of  Scotland,  and  was  employed 
on  various  missions  to  foreign  courts.  He  survived  James  V.,  and  died  in 
1545.  Lyndsay  was  a  sincere  patriot,  and  nearly  all  his  writings  tend  to 
the  reformation  of  evils  in  church  and  state.  His  principal  works  are  The 
Dreme,  an  allegorical  poem;  The  Testament  and  Complaint  of  the  Papyngo 
(the  King's  Parrot)  ;  The  History  of  Sguyer  Meldrum,  The  Mbnarche,  and  a 
remarkable  interlude,  Ane  Satyr e  of  the  Thrie  Estaitis. 


Testament  of  the  Papyngo. 

Than  scho  hir  schraue,  with  deuote  contynance, 

To  that  fals  gled,  quhilk  fen^eit  hym  one  freir; 

And  quhen  scho  had  fulfyllit  hir  pennance, 

Full  subtellye  at  hir  he  gan  inqueir : 

"  Cheis  30W,"  said  he,  "  quhilk  of  ws  brother  heir        5 

Sail  haue  of  all  2our  natural!  geir  the  curis 

3e  knaw  none  bene  more  holye  creaturis." 

"I  am  content,"  quod  the  pure  Papingo, 
"  That  ^e,  freir  Gled,  and  Corby  monk,  }our  brother, 
Haue  cure  of  all  ray  guddis,  and  no  mo,  10 

Sen,  at  this  tyme,  freindschip  I  fynd  non  vther." 
"  We  salbe  to  pw  trew,  as  tyll  our  mother," 


SIR   DAVID   LYNDSAY.  167 

Quod  thay,  and  sweir  tyll  fulfyll  hir  intent. 
"  Off  that,"  said  scho,  "  I  tak  ane  Instrument." 

The  Pyote  said  :  "  Quhat  sail  myne  office  bee? "        15 

"  Ouirman,"  said  scho,  "  vnto  the  tother  two." 

The  rowpand  Reuin  said  :  "  Sweit  syster,  lat  se 

3our  holy  intent ;  for  it  is  tyme  to  go." 

The  gredie  gled  said  :  "  Brother,  do  nocht  so ; 

We  wyll  remane,  and  haldin  vp  hir  hede,  20 

And  neuer  depart  frome  hir,  tyll  scho  be  dede." 

The  Papingo  tharae  thankit  tenderlye, 

And  said :  "  Sen  }e  haue  tane  on  }ow  this  cure, 

Depart  rayne  naturall  guddis,  equalye, 

That  euer  I  had,  or  hes,  of  dame  Nature.  25 

First  to  the  Howlet,  indigent  and  pure, 

Quhilk  on  the  daye,  for  schame,  dar  nocht  be  sene, 

Tyll  hir  I  laif  my  gaye  galbarte  of  grene. 

My  brycht  depurit  ene,  as  christall  cleir, 

On  to  the  Bak  }e  sail  thaine  boith  present,  30 

In  Phebus  presens  quhilk  dar  nocht  appeir, 

Off  naturall  sycht  scho  bene  so  impotent. 

My  birneist  beik  I  laif,  with  gude  entent, 

Onto  the  gentyll,  pieteous  Pillycane, 

To  helpe  to  peirs  hir  tender  hart  in  twane.  35 

I  laif  the  Goik,  quhilk  hes  no  sang  bot  one, 

My  musyke,  with  my  voce  angelycall ; 

And,  to  the  Guse,  2e  geue,  quhen  I  am  gone, 

My  eloquence  and  toung  rethoricall : 

And  tak  and  drye  my  bonis,  gret  and  small ;  40 


168  SIR   DAVID    LYNDSAY. 

Syne,  close  tharae  in  one  cais  of  ebure  fyne, 
And  thame  present  onto  the  Phenix,  syne, 

To  birne  with  hir,  quhen  scho  hir  lyfe  renewis. 

In  Arabye  ^e  sail  hir  fynde,  but  weir, 

And  sail  knaw  hir  be  hir  moste  heuinly  hewis, —       45 

Gold,  asure,  gowles,  purpour,  and  synopeir. 

Hir  dait  is  for  to  leif  fyue  houndreith  ^eir : 

Male  to  that  bird  my  commendatioun. 

And,  als,  I  mak  jow  supplycatioun, 

Sen  of  my  corps  I  haue  }ow  geuin  the  cure,  50 

3e  speid  jow  to  the  court,  but  tareyng, 

And  tak  my  hart,  of  perfyte  portrature, 

And  it  present  onto  my  Souerane  Kyng : 

I  wat  he  wyll  it  clois  in  to  one  ryng. 

Commende  me  to  his  Grace,  I  }ow  exhorte,  55 

And  of  my  passioun  mak  hym  trew  reporte. 

3e  thre  my  trypes  sail  haue,  for  ^our  trauell, 

With  luffer  and  lowng,  to  part  equale  amang  30W, 

Prayand  Pluto,  the  potent  prince  of  hell, 

Geue  }e  faille,  that  in  his  feit  he  fang  30W :  60 

Be  to  me  trew,  thocht  I  no  thyng  belang  ^ow : 

Sore  I  suspect,  ^our  conscience  be  to  large." 

"  Doute  nocht,"  said  thay ;  "  we  tak  it  with  the  charge." 

"  Adew,  brether,"  quod  the  pure  Papingo  ; 
"  To  talking  more  I  haue  no  tyme  to  tarye :  65 

Bot,  sen  my  spreit  mon  fra  my  body  go, 
I  recommend  it  to  the  Quene  of  Farye, 
Eternallye  in  tyll  hir  court  to  carye, 


SIR   DAVID   LYNDSAY.  169 

In  wyldernes,  among  the  holtis  hore." 

Than  scho  inclynit  hir  hed,  and  spak  no  more.  70 

Plungit  in  tyll  hir  mortall  passioun, 

Full  greuouslie  scho  gryppit  to  the  ground. 

It  war  to  lang  to  mak  narratioun 

Offsychis  sore,  with  mony  stang  and  stound. 

Out  of  hir  wound  the  blude  did  so  abound,  75 

One  coumpas  round  was  with  hir  blude  maid  reid : 

Without  remeid,  thare  was  no  thyng  bot  dede. 

And,  be  scho  had  In  manus  tuas  said, 
Extinctit  wer  hir  naturall  wyttis  fyue  ; 
Hir  hed  full  softlye  on  hir  schulder  laid,  80 

Syne  ^eild  the  spreit,  with  panes  pungityue. 
The  Rauin  began  rudely  to  rug  and  ryue, 
Full  gormondlyke,  his  emptie  throte  to  feid. 
"  Eit  softlye,  brother,"  said  the  gredy  Gled  : 

"  Quhill  scho  is  hote,  depart  hir  ewin  amang  ws ;       85 

Tak  thow  one  half,  and  reik  to  me  ane  vther : 

In  tyll  our  rycht,  I  wat,  no  wycht  dar  wrang  ws." 

The  Pyote  said  :  "  The  feinde  resaue  the  fouther. 

Quhy  mak  2e  me  stepbarne,  and  I  ^our  brother? 

3e  do  me  wrang,  schir  Gled  ;  I  schrew  }our  harte."  90 

"  Tak  thare,"  said  he,  "  the  puddyngis,  for  thy  parte." 

Than,  wyt  }e  weill,  my  hart  wes  wounder  sair, 

For  to  behalde  that  dolent  departyng, 

Hir  angell  fedderis  fleying  in  the  air : 

Except  the  hart,  was  left  of  hir  no  thyng.  95 

The  Pyote  said :  "  This  pertenith  to  the  kyng, 


170  SIR   DAVID    LYNDSAY. 

Quhilk  tyll  his  Grace  I  purpose  to  present." 

"  Thow,"  quod  the  Gled,  "  sail  faill  of  thyne  entent." 

The  Rauin  said  :  "  God  !  nor  I  rax  in  ane  raipe, 

And  thow  get  this  tyll  outlier  kyng  or  duke !  "         100 

The  Pyote  said  :  "  Plene  I  nocht  to  the  pape, 

Than  in  ane  smedie  I  be  smorit  with  smuke." 

With  that  the  Gled  the  pece  claucht  in  his  cluke, 

And  fled  his  way:  the  laue,  with  all  thair  mycht, 

To  chace  the  Gled,  flew,  all,  out  of  my  sycht.  105 


Ane  Satyre  of  the  Thrie  Estaitis. 

Pavper. 

Gude-man,  will  2e  gif  me  of  }our  charitie, 

And  I  sail  declair  ^ow  the  black  veritie. 

My  father  was  ane  auld  man,  and  ane  hoir, 

And  was  of  age  fourscoir  of  }eirs  and  moir  ; 

And  Maid,  my  mother,  was  fourscoir  and  fyfteine;  5. 

And  with  my  labour  I  did  thame  baith  susteine. 

Wee  had  ane  meir,  that  caryit  salt  and  coill ; 

And  everie  ilk  ^eir  scho  brocht  vs  hame  ane  foill. 

Wee  had  thrie  ky,  that  was  baith  fat  and  fair, — 

Nane  tydier  into  the  toun  of  Air.  10 

My  father  was  sa  waik  of  blude  and  bane, 

That  he  deit ;  quhairfoir  my  mother  maid  great  maine. 

Then  scho  deit,  within  ane  day  or  two ; 

And  thair  began  my  povertie  and  wo. 

Our  glide  gray  meir  was  baittand  on  the  feild ;       15 

And  our  lands  laird  tuik  hir  for  his  hyreild. 


SIR   DAVID    LYNDSAY.  171 

The  vickar  tuik  the  best  cow  be  the  heid, 
Incontinent,  quhen  ray  father  was  deid  ; 
And,  quhen  the  vickar  hard  tel  how  that  my  mother 
Was  deid,  fra-hand  he  tuke  to  him  ane  vther.         20 
Then  Meg,  my  wife,  did  murne,  both  evin  and 

morow, 
Till,  at  the  last,  scho  deit  for  verie  sorow. 
And,  quhen  the  vickar  hard  tell  my  wyfe  was  deid, 
The  thrid  cow  he  cleikit  be  the  heid. 
Thair  vmest  clayis,  that  was  of  rapploch  gray,       25 
The  vickar  gart  his  dark  beir  thame  away. 
Quhen  all  was  gane,  I  micht  raak  na  debeat, 
Bot,  with  my  bairns,  past  for  till  beg  my  meat. 
Now  haif  I  tald  ^ow  the  blak  veritie, 
How  I  am  brocht  into  this  miserie.  30 

Diligence. 
How  did  the  person  ?    Was  he  not  thy  gude  freind  ? 

Pavper. 

The  devil  stick  him !     He  curst  me  for  my  teind, 

And  halds  me  }it  vnder  that  same  proces, 

That  gart  me  want  the  Sacrament  at  Pasche. 

In  gude  faith,  sir,  thocht  he  wald  cut  my  throt,      35 

I  haue  na  geir  except  ane  Inglis  grot, 

Quhilk  I  purpois  to  gif  ane  man  of  law. 

Diligence. 

Thou  art  the  daftest  fuill  that  evir  I  saw. 

Trows  thou,  man,  be  the  law  to  get  remeid 

Of  men  of  Kirk  ?     Na,  nocht  till  thou  be  deid.      40 


172  SIR   DAVID    LYNDSAY. 

Pavper. 

Sir,  be  quhat  law,  tell  me,  quhairfoir,  or  quhy, 
That  ane  vickar  sould  tak  fra  me  tlirie  ky  ? 

Diligence. 

Thay  haue  na  law,  exceptand  consuetude, 
Quhilk  law,  to  them,  is  sufficient  and  glide. 

Pavper. 

Ane  consuetude  against  the  common  weill  45 

Sould  be  na  law,  I  think,  be  sweit  Sanct  Geill ! 
Quhair  will  }e  find  that  law,  tell,  gif  ^e  can, 
To  tak  thrie  ky  fra  ane  pure  husband  man  ? 
Ane  for  my  father,  and  for  my  wyfe  ane  vther, 
And  the  thrid  cow  he  tuke  for  Maid,  my  mother.  50 

Diligence. 

Hald  thy  toung,  man !  It  seems  that  thow  war  mangit. 
Speik  thou  of  preistis,  but  dout  thou  will  be  hangit. 

Pavper. 

Be  Him  that  buir  the  cruell  croun  of  thorne, 
I  cair  nocht  to  be  hangit  evin  the  morne. 

Diligence. 
Be  sure,  of  preistis  thou  will  get  na  support.  55 

Pavper. 

Gif  that  be  trew,  the  feind  resave  the  sort ! 

Sa,  sen  I  se  I  get  na  vther  grace, 

I  will  ly  doun,  and  rest  mee  in  this  place. 

{Pauper  lyis  doun  in  tkefeild.     Pardoner  enteris.) 


SIR   DAVID   LYNDSAY.  173 

Pardoner.  60 

Bona  dies  !    Bona  dies  I 
Devoit  peopill,  gude  day  I  say  ^ow. 
Now  tarie  ane  lytill  quhyll,  I  pray  30W, 

Till  I  be  with  30W  knawin. 
Wait  ^e  weill  how  I  am  namit  ?  65 

Ane  nobill  man,  and  vndefamit, 

Gif  all  the  suith  war  schawin. 
I  am,  Sir  Robert  Rome-raker, 
Ane  perfite  publike  pardoner, 

Admittit  be  the  Paip.  70 

Sirs,  I  sail  schaw  30W,  for  my  wage, 
My  pardons  and  my  pilgramage, 

Quhilk  ^e  sail  se  and  graip. 
I  giue  to  the  deuill,  with  gude  intent, 
This  vnsell  wickit  New  Testament,  75 

With  them  that  it  translaitit. 
Sen  layik  men  knew  the  veritie, 
Pardoners  gets  no  charitie, 

Without  that  thay  debait  it 
Amang  the  wiues,  with  wrinks  and  wyles,  80 

As  all  my  marrowis  men  begyles 

With  our  fair  fals  flattrie. 
3ea,  all  the  crafts  I  ken  perqueir, 
As  I  was  teichit  be  ane  freir 

Callit  Hypocrisie.  85 

Bot  now,  allace !  our  greit  abusioun 
Is  cleirlie  knawin,  till  our  confusioun, 

That  we  may  sair  repent. 
Of  all  credence  now  I  am  quyte ; 


174  SIR   DAVID    LYNDSAY. 

For  ilk  man  halds  me  at  dispyte,  90 

That  reids  the  New-Test'ment. 
Duill  fall  the  braine  that  lies  it  wrocht ! 
Sa  fall  them  that  the  Buik  hame  brocht ! 

Als,  I  pray  to  the  Rude 
That  Martin  Luther,  that  fals  loun  95 

Black  Bullinger,  and  Melancthoun 

Had  bene  smorde  in  their  cude. 
Be  him  that  buir  the  crowne  of  thorne ! 
I  wald  Sanct  Paull  had  neuer  bene  borne ; 

And,  als,  I  wald  his  buiks  100 

War  never  red  into  the  kirk, 
Bot  amangs  freirs,  into  the  mirk, 

Op  riuen  amaug  ruiks. 
(Heir  sail  he  lay  down  his  geir  vpon  ane  buird,  and  say :) 

My  pateDt  pardouns  }e  may  se,  105 

Cum  fra  the  Cane  of  Tartarie, 

Weill  seild  with  oster  schellis. 
Thocht  }e  haue  na  contritioun, 
3e  sail  haue  full  remissioun, 

With  help  of  buiks  and  bellis.  110 

Heir  is  ane  relict,  lang  and  braid, 
Of  Fine  Macoull  the  richt  chaft  blaid, 

With  teith  and  al  togidder. 
Of  Collings  cow  heir  is  ane  home  ; 
For  eating  of  Makconnals  corne,  115 

Was  slain  into  Baquhidder. 
Heir  is  ane  coird,  baith  great  and  lang, 
Quhilk  hangit  Johne  the  Armistrang, 

Of  guoie  hemp,  soft  and  sound. 
Gude,  halie  peopill,  I  stand  for'd  120 


SIR   DAVID    LYNDSAY.  175 

Quha  ever  beis  hangit  with  this  cord 

Neids  never  to  be  dround. 
The  culum  of  Sauct  Bryds  kow  ; 
The  gruntill  of  Sanct  Antonis  sow, 

Quhilk  buir  his  haly  bell.  125 

Quhaever  he  be  heiris  this  bell  clinck, 
Gif  me  ane  ducat  for  till  drink, — 

He  sail  never  gang  to  hell, 
Without  he  be  of  Baliell  borne. 
Maisters,  trow  }e  that  this  be  scorne?  130 

Cum,  win  this  pardoun  :  cum. 
Quha  luifis  thair  wyfis  nocht  with  thair  hart, 
I  haue  power  thame  for  till  part : 

Me  think  jow  deif  and  dum. 
Hes  nane  of  30W  curst  wickit  wyfis,  135 

That  haldis  }ow  into  sturt  and  stryfis? 

Cum,  tak  my  dispensatioun. 
Of  that  cummer  I  sail  mak  30W  quyte, 
Howbeit  ^our  selfis  be  in  the  wyte, 

And  mak  ane  fals  narratioun.  140 

Cum,  win  the  pardoun, — now  let  se, — 
For  meill,  for  malt,  or  for  monie, 

For  cok,  hen,  guse,  or  gryse. 
Of  relicts  heir  I  haif  ane  hunder. 
Quhy  cum  $e  nocht?     This  is  ane  wonder :       145 

I  trow  ^e  be  nocht  wyse. 


NOTES, 


Page.     Line. 
13  The  text  of  Barbour's  Bruce  is  preserved  in  two 

MSS.,  the  Cambridge  and  the  Edinburgh,  both 
written  in  the  last  quarter  of  the  15th  century. 
The  text  here  followed  is  that  of  the  Early  Eng- 
lish Text  Society. 

13  5     iugis.     After  Edward  I.  had  assumed  the  sovereignty 

of  Scotland,  he  placed  the  land  under  the  control 
of  English  barons  and  other  officers,  with  strict 
orders  that  they  should  do  justice  on  all  rebellious 
or  contumacious  Scots. 

14  2     the  batlall.     The  battle  of  Bannockburn,  which  se- 

cured the  independence  of  Scotland,  was  fought 
on  June  24,  1314.  The  English  were  commanded 
by  Edward  II.  in  person,  and  the  Scots  by  Robert 
Bruce.  The  Scots  formed  themselves  into  solid 
masses  which  the  English  cavalry  could  not  break. 
Against  these  the  English  sent  their  archers,  whose 
shafts  could  pierce  the  strongest  armour,  but  Bruce 
drove  them  off  by  light  horsemen.  The  English 
were  already  losing  heart,  when  the  incident  re- 
lated in  the  text  decided  the  battle. 

15  40    with  thar  mensk.     With  their  honour ;  that  is,  if  it 

might  have  been  without  loss  of  honour. 

15  43  ensen^e.  War-cry,  from  Fr.  enseigne.  Knights  often 
had  special  cries  which  served  to  make  known 
their  persons  and  to  rally  their  followers. 

15      51     scalil.     Scattered.     Icel.  skilja. 

15       51     tropellis.     From  O.  Fr.  troupeaulx. 

12  177 


178  NOTES. 

Page.    Line. 

16  71  Schir  Amer.  Aymer  de  Valence,  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke. 

16  75  Schir  Gelis  de  Argente.  Gilles  de  Argentine,  one  of 
the  most  distinguished  knights  of  his  day. 

16  87    Schir  Eduard.      Edward   Bruce,   brother  of  King 

Robert. 

17  113     Bannokburn.      A    small    stream    flowing    into    the 

Forth,  near  Stirling. 

18  130    magre  lhairis.     Magre  (Fr.  mal  grc,  fr.   Lat.  mala 

gratia)  takes  the  genitive. 

18  5  the  sege.  Berwick  town  and  castle  fell  into  Bruce's 
hands  in  1317,  and  he  put  it  under  the  command 
of  Walter  the  Steward.  The  Scots  were  unskilled 
in  the  attack  and  defence  of  fortified  places,  but 
they  had  the  help  of  a  skilful  Flemish  engineer, 
John  Crab. 

18  9  soiv.  The  Roman  vinea,  a  movable  shed  to  cover  a 
mining  party. 

18  10    owth.    Outside,  over.     A  contraction  of  outwith,  the 

same  as  loithout. 

19  40     Schir  Valter.     Walter  Fitz  Alan,  High  Steward  of 

Scotland,  who  married  Marjory,  daughter  of  Rob- 
ert Bruce,  and  became  the  progenitor  of  the  royal 
line  of  Stuart. 

19  46     the  Bude-evyn.    Eve  of  the  feast  of  the  Exaltation 

of  the  Cross,  September  13,  1319. 

20  54    Bot  thai,  &c.     "  But  they  (the  defenders)  who  gave 

themselves  up  to  death,"  &c. ;  that  is,  who  des- 
perately risked  death. 

20  75     The  engynour.     Not  Crab,  but  an  engineer  said  to  be 

the  most  skilful  of  his  time,  whom  the  Scots  had 
taken  from  a  captured  English  ship. 

21  84     Scho.     "She,"  i.  e.,  that  engine. 

22  Wyntoun's   Cronykil  is  preserved  in  a  number  of 

MSS.,  one  in  the  British  Museum,  called  "the 
Royal  MS.,"  being  considered  the  best.  The  text 
here  followed  is  that  of  Laing's  edition  of  1872. 


jstotes.  179 

Page.    Line. 

22  1  An  trie.  This  story  is  found  in  the  Gesla  Roman- 
orum.  Morris  has  wrought  it  into  one  of  the  tales 
in  his  Earthly  Paradise. 

22  9  maner  plus.  Manor  house.  "  Place "  was  often  used 
for  a  mansion  or  chief  house.  "At  Popering,  in 
the  place."     Chaucer,  Sir  Thopas,  1.  9. 

28  1  The  Kingis  Quair.  In  this  poem  James  I.  celebrates, 
according  to  the  allegorical  fashion  of  the  time, 
his  love  for  Lady  Jane  Beaufort,  niece  of  Henry 
IV.  Both  the  style  and  the  language  are  strongly 
influenced  by  Chaucer,  and  several  passages  closely 
resemble  parts  of  the  poem  entitled  The  Court  of 
Love.  From  internal  evidence  it  would  seem  to 
have  been  written  in  1423. 

28  The  Kingis  Quair  is  preserved  in  a  single  MS.,  writ- 

ten about  1475,  and  now  in  the  Bodleian  Library 
at  Oxford.  The  text  followed  is  that  of  the  Scot- 
tish Text  Society. 

28  8     the  touris  wall.     James  is  here  imitating  Chaucer's 

Knightes  Tale.  As  matter  of  fact,  he  was  hardly 
a  prisoner  at  all,  and  after  the  death  of  his  father 
was  styled  and  treated  by  Henry  as  "  the  King  of 
Scots,  our  noble  kinsman  and  ally,"  and  in  this 
capacity  accompanied  him  in  his  war  in  France. 
The  marriage  with  Lady  Jane  was  highly  ap- 
proved at  the  English  Court. 

29  27     the  copill.     Skeat  explains :   "  and  with  the  couple 

[stanza]  next  following,  containing  their  sweet 
harmony,  and  behold  the  text  of  it." 

29  31     the  kalendis.     The  kalends  were  the  first  day  of  the 

month,  hence  "beginning."  So  Chaucer  speaks 
of  "the  kalendes  of  hope."     Troil.  ii,  7. 

30  47     cummyth.    A  Midland  form,  as  is  walking  in  1.  73. 
30       50     counterfeien  chere.      Simulate   an   appearance.      So 

Chaucer,    Prol.   139 :    "  to   counterfete    chere    of 
courte." 
32    105    lufis  jow  all.     Loves  you  entirely. 


180  NOTES. 

Fagc.     Line. 

32  109     vnknawin.     For  mknavring,  as  i-faUyng  in  the  next 

line  is  for  i-f alien. 

33  124    floure-ionettis.      Fr.   jaunette.     "The  yellow   water- 

lillie."  Cotgrave. 
33  125  violeltis.  Inserted  conjecturally.  The  MS.  repeats 
thure-ionetlis.  Skeat  conjectures  round  crokellis, 
which  may  possibly  be  correct.  Gower,  C.  A.  v, 
uses  a-oket  for  some  ornamental  adjustment  of  the 
hair. 

33  134    gndpartye.    Skeat  explains :"  Now,  if  there  was 

a  good  partner  (for  me);"  but  this  is  doubtful. 
The  word  did  not  bear  that  meaning  at  the  time, 
nor  was  the  poet  thinking  of  the  lady  as  a  mate 
for  him.  It  is  only  later  that  he  recognises  that 
she  was  "a  warldly  creature." 

34  1     Me  Ihoght.     After  the  sight  of  the  lady  in  the  gar- 

den, the  poet  falls  asleep,  and  in  a  vision  is  trans- 
ported to  the  Palace  of  Venus,  where  he  sees  the 
spirits  of  dead  lovers  of  all  conditions. 

34  15     Spere.     Sphere.     The  old  astronomers,  who  placed 

the  earth  in  the  centre  of  the  universe,  conceived 
that  surrounding  space  was  divided  into  nine  con- 
centric hollow  spheres,  one  to  each  of  the  seven 
planets,  one  to  the  fixed  stars,  and  an  external 
shell  called  the  crystalline, or primum  mobile,  which 
imparted  motion  to  the  rest.  James  seems  to  con- 
ceive the  sphere  of  Venus  as  lying  outside  of  the 
zodiac. 

35  43     Off gude  follcis.     Much  of  this  description  closely  re- 

sembles The  Court  of  Love. 
35      44     by  thame  one.     By  themselves  alone;  apart. 

37  84     Omere.     James  could  have  known  of  Homer  only 

by  report. 

38  118     recounsilit.   This  seems  to  mean  "reunited  with  their 

loves." 
'40  The  poems  of  Henryson  are  scattered  through  vari- 

ous manuscript  collections,  the  most  important  of 


NOTES.  181 


Page.     Line. 


42 

77 

42 

94 

45 

1 

which  are  the  Bannatyne  MS.,  transcribed  by 
George  Bannatyne  in  1578,  now  in  the  Advo- 
cates' Library,  Edinburgh ;  the  Maitland  MS., 
compiled  by  Sir  Richard  Maitland  of  Lethington 
in  the  latter  half  of  the  16th  century,  and  now  in 
the  Pepysian  Library,  Magdalen  College,  Cam- 
bridge; and  the  Harleian  MS.,  written  in  1571, 
now  in  the  British  Museum.  The  Bannatyne 
and  Maitland  MSS.  are  great  storehouses  of  early 
Scottish  poetry.  The  text  here  followed  is  that  of 
Laing,  1865. 

40  23     Preiss  Ihee,  &c.     Exert  thyself  with  pains  to  thy  ut- 

most power. 

41  56     Quhat  alis,  &c.     What  ails  love  with  me,  i.  e.,  What 

has  love  to  do  with  me?  "  What  eyleth  this  loue 
at  me?"     Chaucer,  Sir  Thopas,  1.  74. 

I  pray.    I  pray  . . .  (that)  every  day  may  increase,  &c. 

I  spend.     I  wasted  (my  love,  or,  my  appeal). 

Quhylum,  &c.  The  source  of  this  fable  was  probably 
the  French  Roman  de  Renart,  where  a  similar  ad- 
venture is  related. 

47  60     to  draw  (he  stra.     If  a  straw  or  small  object  is  drawn 

before  a  kitten,  it  will  run  after  it;  hence,  cun- 
ningly to  divert  any  one  from  his  purpose. 

48  91     bleir  yone  carllis  ee.     To  blear  the  eye  =  to  deceive. 

"  Counterfeit  supposes  bleared  thine  eyne."  Shake- 
speare, T.  S.,  v,  1. 

hunts  up.     A  popular  song,  still  extant. 

nek-hering.  The  largest  and  finest  fish,  placed  in  the 
neck  of  the  creel  to  attract  customers. 

suppryis.     If  you  do  not  let  yourself  be  outwitted. 

In  principio.  The  beginning  of  St.  John's  Gospel ; 
apparently  used  here  as  a  sort  of  charm. 

and  to  ga.     And  went ;  a  Gallicism. 

Esope.  This  fable  is  found  in  Babrios,  Horace,  the 
collection  which  goes  under  the  name  of  Aesop, 
the  Fr.  Ysopet  of  the  13th  century,  and  many  later 
fabulists. 


49 

133 

50 

139 

51 

182 

52 

204 

52 

208 

54 

1 

Page. 

Line. 

55 

18 

56 

46 

57 

74 

182  NOTES. 

under  the  wand.     In  the  woods. 
I  do  it  on  thame  besyde.     I  refer  it  to  them. 
than  seith  till  him  ane  kow.    Than  if  one  boiled  a  cow 
for  him. 

58  122     thraf  caikkis.     Unleavened  cakes,  biscuit.      In  the 

Ormulum  we  are  told  that  the  bread  of  the  He- 
brew offerings  was  "all  theorf  without  leaven." 

59  132    spenser.     One  who  has  charge  of  a  spence :  butler  or 

steward. 
59     138     greit  syn.     Apparently  used  for  "pity."     Perhaps 
we  should  read  "  pyne." 

61  184    gansell.     A  piquant  sauce.     From  a  cookery  book  of 

the  15th  century  we  learn  that  it  was  made  of 
pepper,  saffron,  onions,  &c. 

62  The  Buke  of  the  Howlat  has  been  preserved  in  two 

MSS.,  the  Bannatyne  (1578)  before  mentioned, 
and  the  Asloan,  written  early  in  the  16th  century, 
and  now  in  the  Library  of  Lord  Talbot  de  Mala- 
hide.  The  text  followed  is  that  of  the  Scottish 
Text  Society. 

62  1     In  the  myddis,  &c.     A  parable  founded  on  the  old 

fable  of  the  daw  in  borrowed  feathers,  anciently 
attributed  to  Aesop.  The  combination  of  the  long 
alliterative  line  with  rime  is  an  interesting  blend- 
ing of  the  two  systems  of  versification. 

63  18     le.   A.-S.  Meo,  protection,  shelter,  whence  mod.  "lee." 

The  lee  side  of  anything  is  the  side  turned  from 
the  wind,  and  therefore  sheltered. 

granes  of  grace.     Delightful  or  salubrious  plants. 

wilsome  of  wane.     At  a  loss:  lit.  "astray  of  thought." 

couth  growe.     Shuddered ;  couth  is  pleonastic. 

a  nok.  Donaldson  (Suppt.  to  Jamieson)  would  ren- 
der "an  oak:"  "my  beak  is  gnarled  like  an  oak." 
But,  beside  the  fact  that  an  owl's  beak  is  smooth, 
a  nok  is  a  hook.  In  Jok  and  Jynney  we  are  told 
of  "ane  spindill  wantand  ane  nok." 


63 

28 

63 

43 

64 

51 

64 

57 

NOTES.  183 

Page.    Line. 

64  70  I  bid  nocht  to  nyte.  I  wish  not  to  deny,  i.  e.,  I  do  not 
deny  it. 

66  113  this  is  no  nay.  It  is  not  to  be  denied.  "  The  briddes 
singe,  it  is  no  nay."     Chaucer,  Sir  Thopas,  1.  55. 

69     207    for  mistar.     At  need. 

69  209  schoure.  Jamieson  would  read  a  schoure,  and  defines 
"part  or  division  of  music,"  giving  no  authority. 

69  210  a  point.  A  musical  piece.  The  musical  notes  were 
formerly  called  "points;"  hence  "counterpoint."' 

69  213  he  gart  thaim  se,  &c.  Tricks  of  this  kind  were  the 
stock  in  trade  of  the  mediaeval  tregetours,  or  jug- 
glers. 

"Ther  saugh  I  Colle  tregetour, 
Upon  a  table  of  sicamour, 
Pleye  an  uncouth  thing  to  telle: 
I  saugh  him  carien  a  wind-melle 
Under  a  walsh-note  shale." 

Chaucer,  H.  F.  1297. 
See  also  Douglas'  Palice  of  Honour. 


'> 


69  215    schippis  of  tour.    Great  ships  with  towers  for  archers 

at  the  stern. 

70  228     sper  of  a  betill.    Staff  or  handle  of  a  beetle  or  maul. 
70     236     A  bard,  &c.     Holland,  like  all  Lowlanders,  delights 

in  ridiculing  the  barbarous  manners  and  uncouth 
speech  of  the  Kelts.  His  Gaelic  is  very  corrupt, 
and  almost  unintelligible.  Banachadee  is  beannach- 
aidh  Dhe,  "the  blessing  of  God;"  a  common  salu- 
tation. A  Keltic  scholar,  cited  by  Diebler,  sug- 
gests, for  1.  237,  "  An  cluinn  thu  guth,  a  dhuine 
dhroch,  olaid  mise  deoch,"  i.  e.,  "Can't  you  hear 
a  word,  bad  man  ?  I  can  take  a  drink." 
70  244  the  schenachy.  The  bard  seems  to  be  vaunting  his 
accomplishments.  Schenachy  is  seanachaid,  a  teller 
of  tales  or  histories ;  clarschach  is  a  harp ;  corach 
may  be  coronach,  a  chant. 


1 84  NOTES. 

Page.    Line. 

71  264     thevisnek.    Thief 's  neck,  i.  e.,  gallows-bird. 

72  283     remelis.    The  Bannatyne  MS.  has  remyllis.    Possibly 

remedis,  remedies,  i.  e.,  for  their  hurts. 

74     357     battdl.     Donaldson   (Supp.  to  Jam.)   writes  batall- 
wricht,  and  defines  "  braggart." 

74  359  Thus  wycit  he,  &c.  Obscure.  The  Bannatyne  MS. 
reads  viciit,  which  may  be  from  Fr.  vicier.  The 
valentine  is  the  pairing-time  of  birds.  The  mean- 
ing seems  to  be  that  the  Howlat,  by  his  overbear- 
ing and  morose  behaviour,  spoiled  all  the  happi- 
ness of  the  mating-time.  That  the  poem  opens  in 
mid-May,  is,  perhaps,  no  valid  objection  to  this 
explanation.  If  wycit  is  an  eccentric  spelling  of 
weisit,  or  wissil,  it  means  "directed,  managed." 

76  404  wretch  wast.  Wast  seems  to  be  a  contraction  of  wast- 
rie,  prodigal,  spendthrift. 

76  407  for.  Despite  of.  We  still  say  "for  all  his  fine  prom- 
ises." 

76     408     hewit.     Exalted  (heaved). 

76  410     lympit.     Not  found  elsewhere.     It  seems  to  mean 

lamed,    or    crippled.      Cf.    "  Lympish,    claudus." 
Munip.  Vocab. 

77  419     cude.     Christening  cloth.     A  white  cloth  laid  over 

an  infant  when  brought  to  baptism. 

77  423     hawks.     Without   havings   or  possessions.     B.   has 

hafles. 

78  This  poem,  whose  full  title  is  The  Aclis  and  Deidis 

of  the  illustere  and  vail^eand  Campioun,  Schir  William 
Wallace,  Knicht  of  Ellerslie,  exists  in  a  single  MS., 
dated  1488,  preserved  in  the  Advocates'  Library, 
Edinburgh.  Early  printed  editions  are  numerous. 
It  has  been  reprinted  by  the  Scottish  Text  Society, 
whose  text  is  here  followed. 

78  3  Erewyn  wattir.  Irwine  water,  a  small  river  of  Ayr- 
shire, emptying  into  the  Firth  of  Clyde. 

78         5     child  often  means  attendant,  servant. 


NOTES.  185 

Page.    Line. 
78       13     Persye.     Henry  de  Percy,  Earl  of  Northumberland, 
and  nephew  to  John  de  Warenne,  Earl  of  Surrey, 
Edward's  governor  of  Scotland,  was  Warden  of 
Galloway  in  1296. 

78  17     Martyns  fische.    There  seems  to  be  no  explanation  of 

this  phrase. 

79  33     dowis  should  probably  be  thowis,  i.  e.,  "  Whom  dost 

thou  call  '  thou '  ?  "  as  Wallace  had  just  done.    To 
thou  any  one  was  insulting. 
79       36    pouistaff.      Either   a    poke-staff,   to   drive   the   fish 
out  of  their  hiding-places,   or  the  handle  of  a 
dip-net. 
79       42     awkwart.     Awk  is  "the  wrong  way"  or  " back-fore- 
most."     An   awkwart   stroke   is   a   back-handed 
stroke. 
he  and  thai.     Wallace  and  his  assailants. 
cusyng.     Applied  to  any  kinsman. 
The  dyrk,  &c.     Wallace  had  appointed  to  visit  a 
woman  in  Perth,  who,  under  threat  of  death,  be- 
trayed him  to  the  English,  but  gave  Wallace  warn- 
ing.    He  fled  from  the  town  in  disguise,  and  re- 
joined his  men,  slaying  at  the  South   Inch  two 
Englishmen  who  were  following  him.     Here  the 
extract  begins. 
81       85     The  day,  &c.     The  day  failed,  from  the  (cause  that) 

the  direct  course  (of  the  sun)  grew  short. 
81       87     worthis  gang.      It  becomes  necessary  to  go.     So  ii, 
200:  "  in  presoune  me  worthis  to  inysclieyff ;"  I 
must  needs  die  in  prison.     Cf.  p.  18,  1.  130. 
thai  brak.     The  English  garrison  of  Perth. 
Gyllisland.     Gilsland,  a  barony  in  Cumberland. 
Ledaill,  Liddesdale. 

Stewyn.     Stephen  of  Ireland,  and  Kerle,  or  Kerlie, 
were  two  of  Wallace's  most  brave  and  faithful 
companions  in  arms. 
84     177     the  Gask  woode.     The  forest  of  Gask,  near  Perth. 


80 

55 

80 

79 

81 

83 

81 

95 

81 

107 

82 

109 

83 

161 

86 

238 

86 

245 

86 

249 

86 

257 

87 

275 

87 

294 

186  NOTES. 

Page.    Line. 

84  199    gayne.     Fawdoun  had  joined  them  not  long  before, 

and  as  he  had  not  travelled  far,  his  sudden  ex- 
haustion was  suspicious. 

85  213     scrogghy  slaid.     A  valley  with  stunted  or  "scrog" 

bushes. 
85     214     Be  est  Dipplyne.     East  of  Dupplin,  a  castle  near 

Pertb. 
Em.     The  river  Earn. 
Sand  Jhonsloun.     St.  Johnstoun,  the  ancient  name 

of  Perth. 
Daivryoch.     Dalreoch  on  the  Earn. 
Uask  Hall.     In  the  Gask  forest,  near  Perth. 
As  till  his  sycht.    As  to  his  sight ;  as  it  seemed  to  him. 
294    feyle  fantase.  Feyle  (fell)  is  usually  "fierce,"  "cruel," 

but  here  seems  to  be  "unhappy,"  "disastrous." 

His  fancy  that  the  English  were  at  hand,  caused 

him  to  send  out  his  men. 

88  311     offbuffe.    One  MS.  has  abufe. 

89  325     Cultir  and  Bygar.     Biggar  is  a  town  in  Upper  Lan- 

arkshire, and  Culter  an  adjacent  village. 
89     327    pychars.     A  similar  story,  including  the  potter,  is 
told  of  Hereward  the  Saxon.      See  Gesla  Here- 
wardi,  c.  24. 

89  356     libardis.     The  lions  passant  of  England  were  form- 

erly called  leopards. 

90  360     herroldis  mysfuyr.  According  to  our  poet,  Edward  had 

sent  a  squire,  his  nephew,  and  two  heralds  to 
Wallace,  summoning  him  to  surrender.  Wallace 
struck  off  the  squire's  head,  and  after  cutting  out 
the  tongue  of  one  herald,  and  plucking  out  the 
eyes  of  the  other,  sent  them  back  to  Edward  with 
the  head.     Of  course  this  is  mere  fiction. 

91  387     Osauold,  &c.    Oswald,  King  of  Northumbria,  d.  642; 

Edmund,   King  of  East  Anglia,  d.  870;   Edward 
II.,  King  of  the  English,  d.  978;  Thomas  a  Beket, 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  d.  1170;  all  martyrs. 
91     405    sterwe  has  here  the  meaning,  "put  to  death." 


NOTES.  187 

Page.    Line. 
92    422    a  place.     Wallace  was  executed  in  Smithfield,  Lon- 
don, August  23,  1305. 
92     441     rahress  seems  a  metathesis  of  raherss.  The  first  edition 

has  reheirss,  rehearsal,  speech. 
94     476     Clyffurd.    Robert  de  Clifford,  Warden  of  the  marches. 
94         1     This  poem  exists  in  but  a  single  copy,  printed  at  St. 
Andrews  in  1572.     The  author  is  unknown.     It 
comprises  two  adventures:  the  collier's  entertain- 
ment of  the  king  and  his  subsequent  visit  to  court, 
and  his  combat  with  a  Saracen  and  its  results. 
Rauf  Coi^ear  is  mentioned  by  Dunbar  and  Gawin 
Douglas.    The  text  given  is  that  of  the  Scottish 
Text  Society. 
deip.     Perhaps  dreip,  the  drip  or  dash  of  rain. 
sperpellit.     Scattered.     O.  Fr.  esparpiller. 
traist,  &c.     The  meaning  seems  to  be  :  "trust  me  or 
not,  as  you  please ;  but  if  you  do  not  find  me  a 
good  fellow,  it  will  be  partly  your  own  fault." 
Sand  July.   St.  Julian,  the  patron  saint  of  travellers. 
with-thy.     Instrumental  case.     "  On  condition  that." 
to  keip.    Inserted  conjecturally.    The  text  published 
by  the  Scottish  Text  Society  reads  "  to  heip." 

98  98     git.     Usually  sport,  but  here  seems  to  be  work  or 

service. 

99  128     kynd  audit  to  creip.     A  proverbial  expression,  mean- 

ing "Nature  (or  breeding)  is  bound  to  show  it- 
self." In  the  Towneley  Mysteries  (Paslores)  we 
find  "Kynde  will  crepe  where  it  may  not  go," 
i.  e.,  "Nature  will  creep  where  it  cannot  walk." 
Rauf  says  that  this  is  an  occasion  on  which  the 
King's  breeding  ought  to  show  itself,  or  else  he  is 
ignorant  (of  good  manners). 

99     134    Two  lines  wanting  in  the  original. 

99  143  begin  the  buird.  Take  the  highest  seat  at  table  and 
be  seated  first.  "  Bischop  Bawdwyn  abof  bi-gene} 
the  table."    Gawayne,  112.   See  also  Chaucer,  Prol. 


95 

17 

95 

26 

96 

55 

96 

63 

97 

70 

97 

83 

103 

240 

104 

276 

104 

277 

106 

309 

188  NOTES. 

Page.     Line. 

52;   John  the  Reeve,   iii,  44;   and   The  Cokwolds 

Daunce. 
100     153    hefaind.     The  text  appears  corrupt. 

100  170    gude.     Good  men. 

101  193     dois  glaidlie.   Enjoy  yourself;  be  merry.   "Syttdowne 

and  do  gladly."  Wright's  Chaste  Wife,  24.  "Do 
gladly,  Sir  Knight,  said  Robin."  Lytel  Gesle  of 
Robin  Hood. 

thi  herberie  is  iane.     Thy  lodging  is  secured. 

pauyol.  A  servant  of  some  kind.  Jamieson  (im- 
probably) conjectures  pavisot,  shield-bearer. 

thocht  long.     Grew  weary  or  impatient. 

Lhow  will  neuer,  &c.  You  will  nevermore  venture  to 
tell  a  lie. 

106  316     enchaip.    Probably  an  error  for  eschaip.    Where  any 

collier  may  come  off  safely,  I  trust  to  prosper. 

107  331     he  hud  bene  allane.     We  should  probably  read,  "  and 

he  had  nocht  bene  allane." 
war  the  suith.     If  the  truth  were  known. 
myster.     Either  "  skill,"  "  craft,"  or  "  need." 
nor  hecht.     Perhaps  we  should  read  na  hecht. 
with  magre.    With  evil  (hostile)  intent.    "  He  would 
be  full  mighty  who  ....  durst  abide." 
Ill     431     that  sail  not  be  to  crane.     There  shall  be  no  question 

about  that. 
Ill     439     noraneuther.     Than  another. 

111  446     mat.   Probably  the  same  as  amate, daunt,  intimidate. 

Or  a  misprint  for  mar,  hinder,  trouble. 

112  468     be  buikis  and  bellis.     A  common  oath.     The  books 

and  bells  are  those  used  in  the  Services  of  the 
Church.     Of.  174,  1.  10. 

forrow.     Apparently  the  only  instance  of  this  verb. 

to  new.     To  renew  ;  here  to  keep,  perforin. 

The  poems  of  Dunbar  bave  been  gathered  from 
several  MS.  collections,  of  which  the  Pannatyne, 
Maitland,and  Asloan  are  the  most  important.  The 
text  follows  that  of  the  Scottish  Text  Society. 


107 

340 

110 

403 

110 

412 

110 

420 

112 

473 

113 

480 

114 

NOTES.  189 

Page.    Line. 

114  5  houris.  Acts  of  worship  at  stated  hours  of  the  day, 
but  here  used  for  chants  or  hymns.  The  canoni- 
cal hours  were  nocturnes,  matins,  lauds,  tierce, 
nones,  vespers,  and  complines. 

114  6     odouris.    Here  used  for  "  flowers."     One  is  tempted 

to  conjecture  that  the  word  was  originally  collouris 
or  cullouris.    See  1.  142. 

115  12    the  splene.    The  spleen  was  supposed  to  be  the  seat 

of  sudden  emotions. 

116  57     cherarchy.     Hierarchy.     Here  used  for  angels,  who 

were  arranged  in  hierarchies. 

117  83     Yarrow.     The  milfoil. 

118  96     reid  of  his  cullour.     Dunbar  is  describing  the  royal 

arms  of  Scotland,  which  are,  in  heraldic  terms, 
"  or,  a  lion  rampant,  gules,  within  a  double  tres- 
sure,  flory,  counterflory."  The  double  tressure, 
or  border  of  two  narrow  linesj  with  fleurs-de-lis, 
was  said  to  have  been  added  to  the  blazon  of  King 
Achaius,  by  Charlemagne.  "The  armes  of  the 
realme  of  France,  with  the  armes  of  the  realme 
of  Scotland,  he  coupled  togither  ....  of  this 
maner.  The  Lione  he  settis  in  the  midis ;  than 
tua  lynes  on  the  vthir  syd,  wouen  in  threid  of 
golde,  to  quhilkis  ingeniouslie  ar  coupled  the  lil- 
lies  inwouen,  inwounde,  and  drawin  throuch." 
Leslie,  Hisiorie  of  Scotland,  v. 

bowgle.  Wild  bull,  fr.  Lat.  buculus.  Hence  bugle-horn. 

pareere  proslratis.     "  Parcere  prostratis  scit  nobilis 
ira  leonis."     Lat.  prov. 

a  law.     One  law. 

both  reid  and  quhyt.  Because  in  Margaret  the  blood 
of  both  York  and  Lancaster  blended. 
122  28  to  tak  the  abyle.  It  would  appear  from  this  that  Dun- 
bar had  never  taken  the  final  vows. 
122  34  Kalice.  Calais  then  belonged  to  England,  and  was 
its  most  southern  city,  as  Berwick-upon-Tweed 
was  the  most  northern. 


118 

110 

118 

119 

119 

124 

120 

171 

190  NOTES. 

Page.    Line. 

123  The  Fen^eit  Freir.     This  grotesque  poem  has  a  his- 

torical basis.  One  John  Damian,  an  Italian  monk, 
who  pretended  to  have  the  secret  of  transmuting 
base  metals  into  gold,  by  virtue  of  the  philoso- 
pher's stone,  or  "quintessence,"  as  he  called  it, 
ingratiated  himself  with  James  IV.,  who  not  only 
wasted  much  money  on  his  experiments,  but  gave 
him  the  rich  abbey  of  Tungland.  In  1508  he 
undertook  to  fly  from  Stirling  Castle  to  France, 
by  the  help  of  artificial  wings  of  feathers,  but  fell 
and  broke  his  thigh.  He  attributed  this  mishap 
to  the  fact  that  "  thair  was  sum  hen  fedderis  in 
the  wingis,  quhilk  yarnit  the  mydding  and  not 
the  skyis."  See  Lesley,  History  of  Scotland. 
123  1  crislall  haile.  Dr.  Gregor  explains  this,  crystal  (or 
clear)  salutation. 

vane  organis.     Veins. 

myance.     Means,  resources.     Fr.  moyens. 

gardevyance.     Cupboard.     Fr.  garde-viandes. 

sacring  bell.  The  bell  rung  at  the  elevation  of  the 
Host.  The  skellat  (O.  Fr.  eschellele)  was  the  bell 
which  called  the  monks  to  their  devotions. 
125  65  Sancl  Martynis  fowle.  Several  kinds  of  hawks  are 
named.  St.  Martin's  fowle  is  the  harrier  hawk, 
in  Fr.  oiseau  de  St.  Martin.  The  tarsall  is  the  male 
of  the  peregrine  falcon ;  the  stanchell  is  the  kes- 
trel ;  the  marlejone,  the  merlin,  a  species  of  falcon. 
129  The  Tua  Mariit  Wemen.    Only  the  opening  and  clos- 

ing lines  of  this  piece  are  given. 

132  28     craif,  &c.     Crave  what  you  cannot  possess  for  any 

length  of  time. 

133  37     sail  je  abyd.     Probably  an  error  for  the  abyd,  await 

thee,  as  the  poet  is  addressed  in  the  2d  pers.  sing, 
throughout. 
133  Kynd  Kittok.     It  is  not  certain  that  this  bit  of  gro- 

tesque humour  is  by  Dunbar.     Kittok,  Kitty,  a 
diminutive,  like  "hillock,"  &c. 


124 

21 

124 

36 

124 

40 

124 

42 

NOTES.  191 

Page.    Line. 

134  11     ourtane  fallow.    Hail,  overtaken  fellow  !    The  phrase 

"hail  fellow  well  met"  is  still  in  use. 

135  The  Freiris  of  Berwik.   This  tale  is  found  in  both  the 

Bannatyne  and  Maitland  MSS.  It  is  not  certain 
that  it  is  by  Dunbar ;  but  no  other  author  has  been 
suggested.  A  somewhat  similar  story  is  the  fab- 
liau Le  povre  clerc  (Bee.  des  Fab.,  No.  132)  of  the 
13th  century.  It  was  several  times  handled  by 
German,  English,  and  Italian  writers. 

136  26     the  four  ordouris.   The  orders  of  friars  were  the  Fran- 

ciscans (1210),  Dominicans  or  Jacobins  (1216), 
Carmelites  (1245),  and  Augustinians  (1256).  The 
Jacobins  wore  a  white  habit  and  black  mantle, 
hence  they  are  frequently  called  the  Black  Friars. 

137  82    with  gret  hicht.   In  a  very  high  (or  peremptory)  man- 

ner. 
blakfreir.     Here  an  Augustinian. 
thocht  lang.     Was  impatient. 

ane  pislill.  Originally  "epistle,"  but  often  used  for 
"story,"  "tale,"  as  in  "The  Pistill  of  Susan,"  the 
story  of  Susanna.  Cf.  Chaucer,  Wyf  of  Bathes  Tale, 
1.  165  :  "Tho  rouned  she  a  pistel  in  his  ere." 

145     317     ane  bony  quhyle.     A  pretty  while,  a  reasonable  time. 

145  321  nigromansy.  Necromancy  (used  generally  for  magic) ; 
so  spelled  by  a  false  etymology  from  Lat.  niger,  as 
if  "the  black  art." 

147  399  cop  owt.  To  drink  cop  owl  was  to  empty  the  cup  at 
a  draught.     Cf.  carouse,  fr.  Ger.  gar  aus. 

152     538     mustard  slane.  A  flat  stone  for  grinding  mustard  upon. 

154  Douglas's  version  of  the  Aeneid  exists  in  five  manu- 

script copies  :  the  Cambridge  (1525),  in  the  library 
of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge  ;  the  Elphynstoun 
(1527)  and  the  Ruthven  (1535)  both  in  the  library 
of  the  University  of  Edinburgh ;  the  Lambeth 
(1545)  at  Lambeth  Palace;  and  the  Bath  (1547) 
in  the  possession  of  the  Marquis  of  Bath.  The 
text  follows  Small's  edition  of  1874. 


139 

124 

139 

146 

140 

175 

192  NOTES. 

Pago.    Line. 

154        2     chymmis.     Mansion.     Fr.  chefmes. 

154        4     lattoun  colour.     Colour  of  brass.     "  Phebus  wex  old, 

and  hewed  lyk  latoun,"  Chaucer, Frank.  T.,  517. 
154        8     Capricorne.     The  sun  enters  this  sign  at  the  winter 

solstice. 

154  11     speir.     Orbit.     As  the  sun  passes  from  the  equinox 

to  the  winter  solstice,  his  apparent  path  seems  to 
decline. 

155  31    pestilens.    Cf.  Chaucer,  K.  T.,  1611. 

157  99  Latonia.  The  moon,  identified  with  Diana  or  Arte- 
mis, daughter  of  Latona. 

157  103  propir  mansioune.  See  note  infra.  As  the  moon  en- 
tered the  sign  of  Cancer,  she  was  in  opposition  to 
the  sun  in  Capricorn,  and  would  rise  as  the  sun 
set. 

157  105     Hebawde.     A  word  apparently  formed  from  the  Fr. 

hibou.  The  edition  of  1553  has  "the  horned 
byrd." 

158  112    rebound.     Spring  or  shoot  up,  viz.  the  dawn. 
158     115     greiking.     Dawning.     Lit.  "  graying." 

158  119  Palamedes  byrdis.  Cranes.  An  ancient  tradition  ran 
that  Palamedes,  a  hero  of  the  Trojan  war,  added 
the  letter  Y  to  the  Greek  alphabet,  taking  the 
form  from  that  of  a  flock  of  migrating  cranes.  Cf. 
Philostratus,  Her.  9. 

158  129    on  char.     Char  (fr.  A.-S.  cyrran,  to  turn)  is  a  hinge. 

Hence  our  "ajar." 

159  Prolong.     Douglas  considered  this  the  best  of  his 

thirteen  prologues.  He  calls  it  "  a  pearl  of  May," 
and  directs  that  its  capital  initials  shall  be  illu- 
minated in  gold. 

159  1  Dyonea.  Venus.  As  this  planet  is  both  evening  and 
morning  star,  it  is  called  "night  herd  and  watch 
of  day." 

159  3  Dame  Oynthea.  The  planets,  in  their  revolutions, 
seem  to  pass  successively  through  the  twelve  signs 
of  the  zodiac.     The  astrologers  called  these  signs 


NOTES. 


193 


Page.    Line. 


"  houses,"  and  held  that  the  influences  of  each 
planet  were  strengthened  or  weakened  according 
to  the  house  it  was  in.  The  sun  and  the  moon 
had  each  a  "proper  house"  (domus  propria),  the 
former  in  Leo  and  the  latter  in  Cancer;  and  each 
of  the  other  planets  two,  one  diurnal  and  one  noc- 
turnal. There  were  also  the  "alien  house"  (do- 
mus peregrina),  the  "exaltation,"  and  the  "dejec- 
tion." The  annexed  diagram  will  show  part  of 
these  "dignities." 


p  exaltatio 
2  domus  prop,  nocturna 


y  domus  prop,  diurna 


D  domus  propria 
©  domus  propria 

9  domus  prop,  nocturna 
2  dejectio 


©  exaltatio 

D  domus  peregrina 

9  domus  peregrina 
$  exaltatio 

©  domus  peregrina 

fj  domus  propria 
nocturna 


])  dejectio 

©  dejectio 
$  domus  propria 
diurna 


159       11 


The  moon  (Cynthia),  is  coming  down  from  her 
exaltation  in  Taurus.  Venus  is  passing  from  her 
domus  nocturna,  in  Taurus,  into  Gemini,  the  domus 
diurna  of  Mercury  ("Cyllenius'  cave"),  where  she 
has  no  dignity.  The  apparent  motion  of  Mars  is 
twice  as  slow  as  that  of  Venus ;  hence  he  is  said 
to  draw  back.  Douglas  is  here  imitating  Chaucer's 
Compleynt  of  Mars. 
Nycthemyne.  Nyctimene,  daughter  of  Epopeus,  King 
of  Lesbos,  was  fabled  to  have  been  changed  by 
Athena  into  an  owl.     Ovid,  Met.  ii,  590. 


13 


161 

71 

161 

81 

163 

134 

1 94  NOTES. 

Page.     Line. 

159       24     munlill  wall.     Lit.  the  curtain,  or  stretch  of  wall  be- 
tween towers. 
159       25     Eous.    One  of  the  horses  that  drew  the  car  of  Phoe- 
bus, or  the  Sun. 
fyall.     Tower,  turret.     Prob.  from  Lat.  faia. 
Pryapus.     Priapus,  the  god  of  gardens. 
bedyil.     Lit.  "bedyed,"   but    used    by    Douglas   for 
wetted,  drenched,  as  in  his  Aen.,  I,  iv,  31.     "  Thair 
lyniuiis  be  salt  watter  bedyit." 

163  145     Sewane.    No  satisfactory  explanation  has  been  given 

of  this  word.  "Savin"  and  "soap"  (Fr.  savon) 
have  been  conjectured.  It  seems  to  be  some  aro- 
matic drug  or  spice. 

164  164     Argus.     Changed  by  Juno  into  a  peacock.     Ovid 

Mel.  i,  722. 
164     170     Arayne.    Arachne,  changed  by  Athena  into  a  spider. 

Ovid,  Met.  vi,  5. 
164     179     brokeltis.    Young  deer,  whose  horns  have  not  bemin 

to  branch. 
164     179     and  ivith.     And  those  with. 
164     180    calvys.     Three  species  of  deer  are  mentioned.     The 

young  of  the  hind  was  called  a  calf;  that  of  the 

doe,  a  fawn  ;  and  that  of  the  roe,  a  kid. 

164  187     Doryda.     Doris   and  Thetis   were  marine  deities; 

nymphs  and  naiads  dwelt  in  rivers. 

165  191     guhite  and  rede.     Cf.  Chaucer,  K.  T.,  195. 

166  The  collected  works  of  Lyndsay  first  appeared  in 

an  edition  printed  at  Edinburgh  in  156S,  and 
were  often  republished.  The  extract  from  the 
Papyngo  follows  Laing's  edition,  and  that  from 
the  Satyre,  the  reprint  by  the  Early  English 
Text  Society. 

167  34    pillycane.     The  pelican  was  supposed  to  nourish  its 

young  with  blood  drawn  from  its  own  breast. 
169      88    fouther.     Lit.  a  load  of  125  lbs.,  here  "pack,"  "lot." 
Cf.  p.  172,  1.  56. 


171 

36 

172 

46 

173 

75 

NOTES.  195 

Page.     Line. 

170  16     hyreild.     Heriot;   the  best  beast  or  other  chattel, 

claimed  by  the  lord  of  the  fief  on  the  death  of  a 
vassal. 

171  17     the  vickar,  &c.    As  a  mortuary,  or  gift  claimed  by  the 

priest  of  a  parish  on  the  death  of  a  parishioner. 
171       32     cursed  me.     Excommunicated  me  for  not  paying  my 
tithes.      This  weapon  of  the  Church    was  very 
freely  used,  even  in  ordinary  processes  for  debt, 
and  was  especially  vexatious  and  oppressive.    See 
Knox,  Hist,  i,  39. 
grot.     Groat ;  four-penny  piece. 
Sanct  Geill.     St.  Giles,  or  Egidius  (7th  century). 
New  Testament.   This  must  have  been  Tyndale's  ver- 
sion (printed  in  England  in  1537),  as  this  play  was 
presented  in  1540,  and  the  Geneva  version  of  the 
New  Testament  was  not  made  until  1557.     Lynd- 
say,  it  will  be  observed,  refers  below  to  Lutherans, 
not  to  Calvinists. 
174      96     Bullinger.    Henri  Bullinger  (1504-1575)  and  Philip 
Melanchthon  (1497-1560)  were  distinguished  the- 
ologians of  the  Reformation. 
174     106     Cane.     Khan. 
174     112     Fine  Macoull,     Fingal,  the  legendary  hero  of  Erse 

and  Gaelic  tradition. 
174     118     Armistrang.   John  Armstrong  of  Gilnockie,  a  famous 
border-reiver  of  the  Debatable  Land,  rather  treach- 
erously put  to  death  by  James  V.  in  1530. 

174  120    for\l.     For  it,  as  beid  for  be  it,  p.  151,  1.  523.     "I 

stand  answerable  for  it." 

175  123     Sanct  Bryd.     St.  Bridget  (A.  D.  436-523). 

175  124  Sanct  Antony.  St.  Antony  the  Hermit  lived  in  the 
fourth  century.  An  absurd  popular  legend  repre- 
sented him  as  accompanied  on  his  journeys  by 
a  pig. 

175     129     Baliell.     Belial. 


GLOSSARY. 


a,    ah. 

a,    a,  one. 

abaid,    delay. 

abaisit,    abashed,  dismayed. 

abandowne,  abandon,  give 
up. 

abasit,    dismayed. 

abate,    surprise. 

abbeit,    habit,  dress. 

abill,    able,  liable. 

abiljeit,    dressed. 

aboife,  abone,    above. 

aboun,  abovin,    above. 

abound,    gush. 

abufe,    above. 

abyte,    habit. 

aduertance,    retinue. 

affeir,  affer,  appearance,  be- 
haviour. 

aferde,  afferde,    afraid. 

affray,    affright,  alarm. 

afoir,    before. 

agane,  agayne,  ageyne,  again, 
against. 

aggrewit,    aggrieved. 

aill,    ailment,  trouble. 

aill,    ale. 


aip,    ape. 

air,    before,  formerly. 

airar,    earlier. 

airlie,  airly,    early. 

airt,    quarter  of  the  heavens. 

aith,    oath. 

akis,    oaks. 

a-lawe,    down,  downward. 

aleyes,    alleys,  walks. 

alhaill,    entirely,  altogether. 

alichtyn,    light,  illuminate. 

alis,    ails. 

alkyn,    all  kind. 

allace,    alas. 

allane,  allayne,    alone. 

alleis,    alleys. 

allevin,    allowed,  admitted. 

allir  best,    the  very  best. 

allkin,    all  kind. 

allow,    approve. 

all  quhair,  everywhere. 

allthir,    of  all. 

all-thocht,    although. 

allutirly,    altogether,  utterly. 

almery,    cupboard,  press. 

als,    as,  so,  also. 

alsone,    as  soon,  quickly. 

197 


198 


GLOSSARY. 


alswa,    also. 

alsweill,    as  well. 

aluterly,    altogether. 

amaile,    enamel. 

amene,    pleasant. 

amerant,    amaranthine. 

amorettis,    true-love-knots. 

and,    and,  if. 

ane,    a,  one,  any,  alone. 

ane  (in),    anon,  at  once. 

anent,    opposite. 

anew,    enough. 

anis,    once. 

annamyllit,    enamelled. 

anneuche,  anuche,    enough. 

annone,    anon. 

annwch,    enough. 

anschir,    answer. 

anys,    once. 

apayn,    under  penalty. 

apon,    upon,  to,  in. 

aport,    demeanour. 

apparale,  preparations,  appa- 
ratus. 

appin,    happen. 

aray,    array,  order. 

arayand,  arraying,  re-form- 
ing. 

argow,    argue,  reason. 

ark,    chest,  box. 

armony,    harmony. 

armyt,    armed. 

array,    dress,  appearance. 

arrest,    determine. 

art,    quarter  of  the  heavens. 

as,    ask. 

ascens,    ascension. 


ask,    lizard, 
aspye,    espy, 
assaill,    accost. 
assail?eit,    tried,  attempted, 
assale,    assail,  assault, 
assal^eit,    assailed, 
assay,    try,  attack,  trial, 
astert,    started,  rushed, 
astert,    avoid, 
asur,    azure. 

at  hicht,    highly,  eminently, 
at,    that,  those  that, 
athir,    each,  either,  or. 
atour,    over,  through, 
attanis,  attonis,    at  once, 
attone,    together, 
attour,    over,  through, 
auance,    improve,  exalt. 
auld,    old. 
aureat,    golden, 
availl,  avale,    let  down, 
avay,     away. 

avenand,    handsome,  prepos- 
sessing, 
avpone,    upon, 
awaill,    avail,  advantage, 
a  walk,    awake, 
awin,  awne,    own. 
awnter,    adventure, 
awoilk,  awoik,    awoke, 
awp,    curlew, 
awyn,    own. 
awys,    fashion, 
ay,    always, 
ayk,    oak. 
ayre,    heir,  heiress, 
ayrly,    early. 


GLOSSARY. 


199 


bad,    abode,  remained, 
baid,    both, 
baid,    delay, 
baid,    stopped, 
baile,    bale,  misery. 

bair,    bare,  mere. 

bair,    bore. 

bair,    boar. 

bairfute,    barefoot. 

bairn,    child. 

bait,    stopping-place. 

baith,    both. 

baittand,    feeding. 

bak,    bat. 

balas,    rubies. 

bald,    bold. 

balk,    ridge  of  land. 

ballat,  ballet,    ballad. 

balm,    perfume. 

ban,    curse. 

band,    agreement. 

band,    bond,  bondage. 

bandoun,    command,  service, 

control, 
bane,    ready,  willing, 
banestikill,  stickleback  (small 

fish), 
banis,  bones, 
bannyt,    cursed, 
banwart,    ranunculus, 
banyst,    banished, 
bar,    boar. 

barganer,    quarreller. 
barm,    bosom, 
barmkyn,    outer  wall,  wall, 
barnage,    baronage,  nobility. 


barne,    child,  fellow. 

bar  rand,    barren. 

basnet,    helm. 

bastoun,    stick,  cudgel. 

batall,    (see  note). 

batalland,     combating. 

bath,  bathe,    both. 

bathit,    bathed. 

battill,    luxuriant. 

battis,    blows. 

bawd,    bade. 

bawdronis,     name    of    a   cat, 

Grimalkin, 
bawld,  bold, 
bayth,    both. 

be,    by,  in,  by  the  time  that, 
be,    bee. 

bedonkit,    drenched, 
bedovin,    wet. 
bedyit,    bedewed,  wet. 
beft,    beat,  beaten, 
begouth,    began, 
begylit,    beguiled, 
behald,    behold, 
behowyd,    behoved, 
behufe,    behoof,  advantage, 
beid,    be  it. 
beike,    beak, 
bein,    bean, 
beir,    cry,  noise, 
beir,    bear  (animal), 
beir,    behave, 
beir,    bear  (carry), 
beirn,    man,  person, 
beis,    bees, 
beis,    is,  shall  be. 
beit,    kindle. 


200 


GLOSSARY. 


bek,    bow. 

belang,     belong. 

beldit,    formed. 

belive,  belyf,    quickly. 

beming,    humming. 

bemys,    beams. 

ben,    inner  room. 

bene,    are,  is. 

bene,    pleasant,  comfortable. 

benely,    comfortably. 

benesoun,    blessing. 

bening,  benyng,    benign. 

bent,  grass,  sedge,  grassy  field. 

benwart,    to  the  inner  room. 

ber,  barley. 

berere,    bearer. 

beriall,    beryall,     beryl,    like 

beryl,   pellucid, 
berne,    warrior,  man. 
berysing,    burial, 
besene,     provided,    equipped, 

attired, 
besie,    busy, 
bestial,    cattle, 
bet,    beaten,  beat, 
bet,    kindled, 
betill,    (see  note), 
betraisit,    betrayed, 
be  tyme,    betimes,  early, 
beuche,  beugh,  bew,    bough. 
bewalit,    bewailed, 
bewschyris,,       beaux      sires, 

nobles, 
bewte,    beauty, 
beykyt,    warmed, 
beyn,      beyne,      comfortable, 

pleasant. 


beyn,  beyne,    been. 
bid,    desire,  request, 
biggyng,    house,  building, 
bikkrit,    battered,  shot, 
billis,    petitions. 
birneist,    polished, 
birnyng,    burning, 
birst,     burst. 

bissart,    buzzard  (hawk), 
bissy,    busy, 
bla,    lurid. 

blaister,    bluster,  storm, 
bland,    bond,  engagement, 
blank,     white. 

blanschit,     bleached,     discol- 
oured, 
blaw,    blow, 
blawin,    blown, 
blayknit,    blackened, 
ble,    hue,  colour, 
bleidand,    bleeding, 
bleir,    deceive, 
blenk,    glance,  beam, 
blent,    looked,  beamed, 
blesand,    blazing, 
bletand,    bleating, 
blin,    stop,  cease, 
blist,  blissit,    blessed, 
blomyt,    blooming, 
blonk,    horse, 
blout,    bare, 
blude,  bluide,    blood, 
blwmys,    blossoms, 
blyn,  blyne,    stop,  delay, 
blyth,    cheerful,  glad, 
bocht,    bought,  redeemed, 
boddum,    bottom  land. 


GLOSSARY. 


201 


bodin,    equipped,  arrayed. 

boist,    noise,  abuse,  brag. 

boith,    both. 

boll,    measure. 

bone,    bane,  death. 

bone  fay,    good  faith. 

bonk,    bank. 

bony,    bonnie,  pretty. 

bord,    bored,  pierced. 

bordouris,    borders. 

bordourit,    bordered. 

borrowis,    borough. 

boss,    stone  bottle,  jug. 

bost,    wind,  brag,  fuss. 

bot,    but,  unless. 

bot,    reward. 

bot  giff,    unless. 

botkin,    bodkin. 

boun,    ready. 

boun,    make  ready,  set  out. 

bourde,    jest. 

boustous,    violent. 

bowgle,    wild  bull. 

bownyt,   prepared,  proceeded. 

bowsome,    submissive. 

bra,    bank,  brae. 

brache,     brachell,     hound, 

brach. 
braid,    broad, 
braid,    start, 
braiss,    banks, 
braissit,    braced,  armed, 
braithlie,    violently, 
brand,    brand,  ember, 
brand,     sword, 
brane  wod,    brain-mad. 
brastyng,    bursting,  darting. 

14 


brattlyng,    rattling. 

braun,    brawn. 

bray,    bank. 

brayd,    strode,  went. 

brayt,    roared. 

brede,  breid,    bread,  pastry. 

breid,    breadth. 

breid,    breidis    (on),     about, 

abroad, 
breir,    brier. 

brerd,    sprouting,  growth, 
brest,    break, 
brether,    brethren, 
brichtnyt,    brightened, 
brin,    burn, 
brint,    burned, 
brocht,    brought, 
broket,    deer  two  years  old. 
brokill,    fickle,  treacherous, 
bromys,     broom-plants, 
bront,    appearance, 
brounis,    thickets, 
brovn,    brown, 
browdin,    embroidered, 
bruikit,    blackened,  grimed, 
bruke,    enjoy,  attain,  keep, 
brumaill,    wintry, 
brym,    fierce, 
brym,    margin, 
brynnand,    burning, 
brynt,    burned, 
bryntstane,    brimstone, 
bubbis,    blasts,  gusts, 
buffe  (off),    above, 
bugill,    horn,  trumpet, 
buik,    book, 
buir,    bore. 


202 


cm.SSARY. 


buird,    board,  table, 
buke,    book, 
buke,    baked, 
bukhid,    blind-man's-buff, 
bukkis,    bucks, 
buklair,    buckler, 
bun  wed,    rag- wort. 
bur,  bure,    bore, 
burde,    board,  table, 
burdoun,    staff, 
burelie,    handsome, 
burgionys,    shoots,  grows, 
burgioun,    shoot,  sprout, 
burne,    brook, 
burneist,    burnished, 
burnet,    pale  brown, 
burnyst,    shining, 
busk,    bush, 
busk,    make  ready,  adorn. 

buskit,    made  ready,  dressed. 

buskyd,    made  ready. 

busteous,    bustuus,    violent, 
bold. 

bustuysly,    violently. 

but,    without,  unless. 

but,    outside,  outer  room. 

bute,    advantage. 

button,    bud. 

by,    buy. 

byde,    bide,  remain. 

byggyd,    built. 

byrd,    behoved. 

byrdis,    ladies,  damsels. 

byre,    stable,  outhouse. 

byrn,    burn. 

byrnand,    burning. 

bysprent,    sprinkled,  studded. 


bysyn,    monster. 

cachit,    wandered,  went. 

cadgear,    carrier. 

cai,    jackdaw. 

caill,    cold. 

cais,    case. 

caldrone  cruke,    pot-hook. 

call,    drive. 

callour,    fresh,  cold. 

calvys,    calves,  fawns. 

cammamyld,    camomile. 

camschow,    bent,  hooked. 

cankerit,    spiteful. 

cant,    brisk,  gay,  playful. 

cape,    cope. 

capill,    horse. 

caralyng,    carolling. 

carll,    fellow. 

carp,    speak,  say,  ask. 

carpand,    going. 

cart,    car,  chariot. 

caryar,    performer. 

carye,    frequent,  dwell. 

cas,    chance. 

cassin,    cast,  placed. 

cast,    hap,  fortune. 

cast,    trick. 

cast,    cast  about,  seek. 

castin,    made,  dug. 

catall,    cattle. 

catch,    go. 

catche,    chase,  drive. 

catcluke,    trefoil. 

caucht,    catch. 

caucht,    put. 
I  cauld,    cold. 


GLOSSARY. 


203 


causay,    pavement, 
cawmyt,    calmed, 
cawtel,    trick,  juggling, 
celicall,    celestial, 
ces,    put  a  stop  to. 
chachand,     going,     plodding 

along, 
chaffar,    merchandise, 
chaft  blaid,    jawbone, 
chaiffair,    merchandise, 
chaip,    escape,  get  off. 
chaiplet,    chaplet. 
chair,    car,  chariot, 
chakmait,    checkmate, 
chalmer,    chamber, 
chancis,    fortunes, 
chang,    exchange, 
channonry,    canonry. 
channoun,    canon,  canonical, 
chapyt,    escaped, 
char  (on),    ajar, 
charterouris,       Cistercian 

monks, 
chass,    chase,  pursuit, 
chauffray,    merchandise. 

chauntour,    precentor. 

cheace,    chase. 

cheiftyme,    reign. 

cheir,  countenance,  behaviour. 

cheis,  cheiss,    choose. 

cheis,    cheese. 

chennon,    canon. 

chen^e,    chain. 

cheping,    chirping. 

cherarchy,  angels  (hierarchy). 

chere,    cheerfulness,  joy. 

chere,    countenance. 


cheryte,    charity, 
cheuer,    shiver,  chatter, 
cheverand,  chiverand,    shiv- 
ering, 
cheyne,    chain, 
chokkis,    cheeks, 
chose,    choice, 
chuff,    churl,  miser, 
chydand,    complaining, 
chyftaynlik,    like  a  chieftain, 
chyld,    attendant, 
chymmis,     mansion, 
chyp,    open,  split, 
chyre,    chair, 
chyrm,    chirp,  cry. 
chyssell,    chisel-shaped  ? 
circulat  world,    orbit, 
claggit,    clogged,  mired, 
clais,  claithis,    clothes, 
clam,    climbed, 
clavyr,    clover, 
claucht,    clawcht,     clutched, 
pulled. 

clayis,    clothes. 

cled,    clad. 

cleikit,    seized. 

cleir,    clear,  bright,  clearly. 

cleith,  clothe. 

cleket,    trigger. 

cler,    plain,  clear. 

clething,    clothing. 

cleuch,    steep    bank,    ravine, 
glen. 

cleverus,    tenacious. 

clew,    ravine,  glen. 

clift,    valley,  dale. 

clippit,    inclosed. 


204 


GLOSSARY. 


clois,    cloys,    close,    inclosed, 

shut, 
clour,    lump, 
clud,    cloud, 
cluik,     cluke,      claw,     talon, 

clutch, 
cluvis,    claws, 
clyft,    cleft, 
clynk,    chime,  sing, 
clynty,    stony,  rocky, 
coft,    bought,  redeemed, 
coill,    coal. 
coil;ear,     collier, 
coird,    cord, 
collep,    beaker, 
columby,     columbine, 
compas,    circuit, 
compeir,    appear, 
compt,    account, 
confert,  conford,    comfort, 
confortive,     comforting, 

strengthening, 
connyng,    intelligence, 
consale,  consall,    counsel, 
consayt,    conceit,  fancy, 
consuetude,    custom, 
continuance,    steadfastness, 
contrar,    despite, 
cop,    cup. 
copill,    (see  note), 
coplit,    united, 
corage,    courage,  heart, 
coreck,    correct, 
corby,    crow, 
corpis,    body. 

correnoch,   a  Highland  chant. 
cosingage,    kinship. 


couchit,    trimmed, 
cought,    could,  did. 
coumpas,    circuit, 
counterpalace,    equal  ? 
courtass,    courteous, 
courtyne,    curtain, 
couth,    could,  knew, 
cowardy,    cowardice, 
cowatice,    covetousness. 
cowp,  cowpe,    cup. 
cowplyt,    united, 
cowschet,    wild  dove, 
cowth,  could,  knew,  did. 
crabitly,    crossly, 
crabitnes,     ill-temper,     surli- 
ness. 
crag,  crage,    neck, 
craif,    desire, 
crammysin,    crimson, 
craw,    crow, 
crawand,    crowing, 
crawin,    crowed, 
creill,    pannier,  basket, 
creip,    creep, 
creische,    fat. 
creist,     crest, 
cren,    crane, 
crengit,    cringed, 
crepillit,    crept,  crawled. 
crewell,    cruel, 
croce,    cross. 

croce,    to  sign  with  the  cross, 
croppis,     tops,  heads, 
croup,    cry  hoarsely. 
croun,  crovn,    crown, 
crowd,    coo.  . 
crownell,    coronal. 


GLOSSARY. 


205 


crows,    brisk,  bold,  gay. 

croys,    cross. 

cruke,    book. 

crysp,    curling. 

cubicular,    chamberlain. 

cude,    christening  cloth. 

cuik,    cook. 

culd,    could,  did. 

culit,    cooled. 

culum,    tail. 

cum,    come. 

cumand,     coming. 

cummer,    annoy,  annoyance. 

cummerlik,    gossippy. 

cummyn,    come,  coming. 

cummyrsum,  cumbersome, 
hard  to  pass. 

cun,    can. 

cunnand,  covenant,  agree- 
ment. 

cunnand,    knowing,  skilful. 

cunning,  cunyng,    rabbit. 

cuplit,    fastened 

curage,    spirit. 

curch,    kerchief. 

cure,    care,  charge,  office. 

curfur,    curfew. 

curland,    curling. 

curywsly,    skilfully. 

cuschet,  wood-pigeon,  wild 
dove. 

custom,    toll,  tax. 

cusyng,    cousin,  kinsman. 

cuvating,    desire. 

daft,    silly,  stupid, 
daill,    dale. 


dang,    smote,  beat. 

dantit,    daunted,  intimidated. 

dar,  lost  in  thought. 

dasy,    daisy. 

dasyng,    benumbing. 

davall,    plunge. 

dawing,    dawn. 

day,    doe. 

de,    die. 

debait,  debeat,    contention, 

contend  for. 
decess,    die. 
dede,    death, 
defend,    forbid, 
defend,    defence, 
defowlit,    disparaged,  vilified, 
defundand,    pouring  down, 
degysit,    disguised, 
deid,    death,  dead, 
deif,    deaf, 
deill,    part, 
deill,    deal, 
deip,    (see  note), 
deip,    deep, 
deir,    dear,  dearly, 
deir,    harm, 
deis,    dais,  table, 
deit,    died, 
dele,    part, 
dele,    devil, 
deliuer,    hasten, 
deliuerance,    action, 
deliuerly,    quickly, 
delle,    part, 
delt,    divided,  shared, 
deme,    dame, 
deme,    judge,  deem. 


206 


GLOSSARY. 


dempt,    judged,  deemed, 
demyng,    censure, 
demyt,    deemed,  decreed, 
denner,    dinner, 
dent  de  lion,    dandelion, 
dente,    dainty, 
denty,    dignity,  esteem, 
denys,    deans, 
depart,    divide,  share, 
departing,    division,  sharing, 
departing,    separating, 
depaynted,    painted. 
depnes,    depth, 
depurit,    clear,  brilliant, 
deray,    disturbance, 
deren^e,    combat, 
derf,    bold,  strong, 
derfly,    strongly,  heavily, 
dern,    secret,  secretly, 
derrest,    dearest, 
dert,    dart, 
derworthi,    precious, 
des,    dais,  table, 
despeired,    desperate,  despair- 
ing, 
destyne,    destiny, 
det,    duty, 
deuchty,    doughty, 
devallyis,    descend,  plunge, 
devit,    deafened, 
devoir,    devour, 
devoit,    devout, 
devyis,    plan,  direction, 
dew,    dawned, 
dey,  deye,    die. 
deyme,    judge,  deem, 
deyp,    deep. 


deyr,    dear, 
deyr,    deer, 
dicht,    prepare, 
dicht,     prepared,  decked, 
dicht,     treat,  maltreat, 
digne,    worthy,  honourable, 
dill,    share, 
dirk,    dark. 
dirkin,    lie  in  wait, 
dirkit,  dirknit,    darkened, 
discryve,    describe, 
discumfist,    discomfited, 
discure,    discover,  reveal, 
diseis,    discomfort, 
dispal^eid,    despoiled, 
disparyt,     despairing,  desper- 
ate, 
dispers,    dispersed, 
displesance,    displeasure, 
dissagyis,    disguise, 
dissawit,    deceived,  betrayed, 
disseuerance,    separation . 
dissymlit,    dissembling, 
ditee,    ditty,  song, 
dochtyr,    daughter, 
do  furth,    carry  forth, 
dois,    does,  do. 
dolent,    dolorous, 
dome,    doom,  fate,  lot. 
donk,    moist,  moisture, 
doon,    do. 
dooth,    doth,  causes, 
dosinnit,    dazed,  stupefied, 
dosk,    dusky, 
dot,    grow  stupid, 
doubbis,    puddles, 
douchty,    doughty. 


GLOSSARY. 


207 


doune,    down, 
dout,    fear,  danger, 
doute,    doubt, 
dovle,    fool. 

dow,    be  able,  have  power, 
dowbill,    double, 
dowchtyr,    daughter, 
dowis,     (see  note), 
dowy,    dreary,  melancholy, 
doyn,    done, 
draglyt,    betnired. 
draif  our,    made  merry, 
draiff,    drove, 
drawe,    drawn, 
drawin,    withdrawn, 
dre,    endure,  suffer, 
dredit,    feared, 
dredles,    doubtless, 
drefyd,    drove, 
dreichlie,    regularly,  in  turn, 
dreid,    fear,  doubt, 
dreidles,    doubtless, 
dreiry,    sad. 

drerelie,    sadly,  dismally, 
drest,    beset. 

drest  him,    addressed  himself, 
droggis,    drugs, 
droupe,    droop, 
drowpand,    drooping, 
drublie,    wet. 
druggit,    dragged, 
drumly,    foggy,  misty, 
dryfande,    driving, 
dryve,    driven, 
dub,    puddle. 

duchepeiris,      twelve      peers, 
paladins. 


duill,    dole,  misery. 

duk,    duke. 

dukis,    ducks. 

dulce,    sweet. 

dule,    wo,  sorrow,  sad. 

dulfully,    dolefully. 

dungin,  beaten. 

durandlie,    constantly. 

dure,    door. 

dure,    continue. 

dusche,    dash,  blow. 

duschit,    dashed,  fell. 

dwne,    put. 

dycht,    prepare,  dress,  dressed. 

dyk,  dyke,    ditch. 

dynarit,    made  a  noise. 

dyne,    din. 

dyng,    beat. 

dynk,    saucy,  bold. 

dynt,    stroke,  blow. 

e,    eye. 

ebure,    ivory. 

ee,    eye. 

effeiris,  efferis,  befits,  be- 
hoves. 

effeiris,    qualities. 

effeiritlie,    timidly. 

effray,  efferay,   alarm,  disturb. 

effrayitlie,  in  a  frightened 
manner. 

eft,    again. 

efter,  eftir,  eftyr,  after,  accord- 
ing to. 

eft-sones,  eftsonis,  soon  after, 
again. 

eild,    age. 


208 


(iLoWSAKV. 


eik,    increase. 

eik,    also. 

eir,    ear. 

eird,    earth,  land. 

eis,    ease,  comfort. 

eisment,    easement. 

ellis,    else,  otherwise. 

elriche,    elfish,  unearthly. 

elyk,    alike. 

emang,    among. 

erne,    uncle. 

emeraut,    emerald. 

emyspery,     hemisphere. 

enbalmit,  embalmed,  per- 
fumed. 

enbrovd,    embroidered. 

enchaip,    (see  note). 

encheif,    succeed. 

endlang,    along. 

endurand,    during. 

ene,    eyes. 

eneuch,  enew,    enough. 

engyne,    genius,  intellect. 

engynour,    engineer. 

ensen^e,    battle-cry.    ■ 

enterdyt,    interdict. 

entre,  entres,    entrance. 

enverounyt,  enwerounyt,  sur- 
rounded. 

erd,    earth. 

eris,    ears. 

ersche,    Gaelic. 

eschamyt,    ashamed. 

eschap,  eschaip,    escape. 

eschew,    avoid,  shun. 

esperance,    hope. 

ess,    ease. 


est,    east. 

ete,    ate. 

euir,    ever. 

evir,    ivory. 

evyn,    just,  even,  exactly. 

ewin,  ewyn,    evening,  eve. 

exerce,    exercise. 

expremit,    designated. 

eyen,    eyes. 

eyme,    uncle. 

eyne,    eyes. 

eyt,    eaten. 

facture,    form,  figure, 
faile,    error,  mistake, 
faill,    sward,  turf, 
faille,    defect,  ilaw. 
failye,  fail?he,    fail,  lack, 
fair,    appearance,  behaviour, 
fair,    fare,  go. 
fair-farrand,    having  a  goodly 

appearance, 
fairhed,    beauty, 
fairly,    marvel, 
fairn,    fern, 
fais,  foes, 
fall,     befall, 
fallow,    associate, 
fallow,  fallowe,    companion, 
falowe,    equal, 
falset,    falsehood, 
fame,  foam, 
fand,     try. 
fand,    found, 
fane,    glad, 
fane,    vane,  pennon, 
fang,    catch,  get,  take. 


GLOSSARY. 


209 


fangar,    catcher. 

fannoun,    scarf. 

fanys,    pennons,  vanes. 

far,    appearance. 

farest,    fairest. 

farly,    wondrously. 

fame,    fared. 

farnys,    ferns. 

fasand,    pheasant. 

fassonit,    fashioned. 

fassoun,    fashion,  kind. 

fauch,  fawch,  ^ray-brown, 
brownish. 

faucht,    fought. 

fauld,    fold. 

fay,    faith. 

faymen,    foemen 

fays,    foes. 

fe,    sheep,  cattle. 

febill,    mean,  poor. 

febillie,    poorly. 

fechand,    bringing. 

fechtand,    fighting. 

fechtine,    fight,  combat. 

fed,    fat. 

fedder,    feather. 

federem,  fedramme,  plum- 
age, suit  of  feathers. 

feid,    feud,  hostility. 

feill,    perceive. 

feill,    perception,  knowledge. 

feill,    many. 

feir,    companion,  company. 

feir,    behaviour. 

feir  of  weir,    array  of  war. 

feld,    felt. 

fele,    many. 

15 


fell,    fierce,  cruel. 

fell,    rock,  rocky  hill. 

fell,    many. 

felloune,    wicked,  terrible. 

felny,    felony. 

fen,    mud,  mire. 

fend,    defend. 

fenyit,  fen^eit,    pretended. 

fenystar,    window. 

fer,    far. 

ferly,    marvel,  wonder. 

ferly,  ferlyfull,    wondrous. 

fermans,    inclosures. 

ferme,    fasten. 

ferre,    far. 

ferryit,    farrowed,  pigged. 

fers,  ferss,    fierce. 

festnyt,     fastened. 

fetherem,      plumage,   suit    of 

feathers, 
fetrit,    fastened, 
fewall,  fewaill,    fuel, 
fewte,    fealty. 
fey,    slain,  dead, 
feyle,    fell,  disastrous, 
feynd,    fiend, 
feynyt,    feigned, 
feyt,    feet, 
ffeynd,    fiend, 
ffrawart,    insolent,  violent, 
ficht,    fight, 
fieind,    fiend. 

figonale,    basket,  fruit-basket, 
firth,    inlet. 

firth,    plain,  open  country, 
flag,    flash, 
flaggat,    faggot. 


210 


GLOSSARY. 


flan,    tempest. 

flane,    Hayed. 

flambe,    llatne. 

flang,    Hung. 

flap,    blow. 

flatling,    prostrate. 

flawe,    blast. 

flawme,    baste. 

flayt,    complained. 

fle,     fly. 

fleand,    living. 

flece,    fleece. 

fleich,    cajole,  wbeedle,  Hatter. 

fleit,    flow,  float. 

fleme,     drive    away,   put    to 

flight, 
flet,    inner  room, 
flewar,    flavour,  scent, 
flicht,    flight, 
flicht,    plumage, 
flocht,    flutter, 
flodderit,    flooded, 
floure,    flower. 

flour  dammes,    lady's  bower 
(flower). 

flour  delice,    iris,  fleur-de-lis. 

floure  ionettis,    yellow  lilies. 

fludis,    Hoods,  waters. 

flureiss,    flourish. 

flurist,    flourished. 

flusch,    pool. 

flyrand,    fleering. 

flyttyng,    departure. 

fog,    moss. 

foill,    foal. 

foirse,    see  before,  perceive. 

fold,    field,  earth. 


fonde,    foolish, 
fonde,    went, 
forby,    by,  besides, 
for'd,    for  it. 

fordynnand,  filling  with  noise, 
forfeblit,    weakened, 
forfet,    fault, 
forgane,    against, 
forgit,    made,  fashioned, 
forloir,    perish,  pine.  • 
forloppin,     fugitive, 
formest,    first,  chief, 
foroutin,  forouchtin,  without, 
for-quhy,    because, 
forrow,    proceed, 
fors  (on),    perforce, 
forschoir,    dejected, 
forss,    force. 

forsuth,    forsooth. 

forthocht,    repented. 

forth  ward,    ready,   prompt, 
forward. 

for-thy,    therefore. 

forthyr,     furtherance,     assist- 
ance. 

for-tirit,    tired  out. 

fortope,    fore-top. 

fo^eild,    requite. 

forget,  forjhet,    forget,  forgot- 
ten. 

foullis,    birds. 

foundis,     proceeds. 

fouther,  load,  pack,  lot. 

fown,    fawn. 

fra,    from,  from  that. 

fra,    from  the  time  that. 

fra  hand,    off-hand. 


GLOSSARY. 


211 


frane,    ask. 

franyt,    asked. 

frawart,    adverse,  malignant. 

fray,    fright,  disturbance. 

fre,    free,  noble. 

freik,    man,  fellow. 

freir,    friar. 

freklys,    freckles,  spots. 

freschlie,    joyously. 

fresyng,    freezing,  frost. 

fret,    trimmed,  adorned. 

fret-wise,  ornamental  fashion. 

freuch,    insolent,  bold. 

fro,    from. 

fructuus,    fruitful,  luxuriant. 

frusch,    throw  into  disorder. 

frusche,    confusion,  rout. 

frustyr,    vain,  useless. 

fudder,    load,  pack. 

fude,    food. 

fuill,  fule,    fool. 

fu^eis,    leaves. 

fundin,    found. 

fur,    furlong,  furrow. 

furd,    ford. 

fure,    went  on,  fared. 

furrit,    furred. 

furth,    forth,  on. 

furthewarde,    onward. 

fuson,  fusoun,    abundance, 

bounty, 
fut,    foot. 

fyall,    turret,  spire, 
fyld,    defiled, 
fyle,    foul,  foul  one. 
fylit,    defiled, 
fyr,  fyir,    fire. 


fyre-flaucht,     lightning, 
fyrth,    plain,  open  country. 

ga,     go. 

gadder,    gather. 

gaddryt,    gathered. 

gaf,  gaif,    gave. 

gaine,    gone. 

gaip,    gape. 

gairding,    garden. 

gais,    goes. 

gaist,    ghost,  spirit. 

gaist,    guest. 

gait,    road,  way. 

gait,    get. 

galbarte,    coat. 

galis,    calls,  cries. 

galland,    gallant. 

gal^ard,    beautiful,  gay. 

gamyn,    sport,  hunting. 

ganand,    fit,  becoming. 

gane,    gone. 

ganer,    gander. 

gang,    go. 

ganis,    profits,  suits. 

gansell,    sauce. 

gar,    make,  cause. 

gardevyance,    cupboard. 

garding,    garden. 

garmond,  garmont,  garment, 

dress, 
garneist,    garnished, 
garth,    inclosure. 
gat,    gait,  way,  road, 
gawe,    gave,  smote, 
gawin,    gain,  profit, 
gayne,    gone,  travelled. 


212 


GLOSSARY. 


geill,    jelly. 

geir,    apparatus,  tools. 

geir,    property. 

geis,    geese. 

gekkis,    mocks. 

gemmyt,    studded. 

gend,  gent,    fair,  elegant, 

amiable,  pleasant, 
generit,    engendered, 
gentrise,    mercy,  courtesy, 
ger,    cause,  make, 
ger,    gear,  property, 
gerraflouris,    gillyflowers, 
gers,    grass. 

gers-pilis,    blades  of  grass, 
gert,    caused,  made, 
gestis,    tales, 
gestis,    beams,  joists, 
geue,    give, 
geue,     if. 
gevis,    givest. 
geyff,    give, 
gif,    give,  grant, 
gif,  gife,    if. 
giffis,    gives,  give, 
gilt,    offended,  sinned, 
giltly,    golden, 
gin,    snare,  device, 
gird,    went, 
girs,    grass. 

glaid,    went,  glided,  cut. 
glaid,    glad. 

glaidlie,    gladly,  joyously, 
glar,    mud. 
glave,    sword, 
gle,    sport, 
gled,    kite. 


gleid-carll,    lire-man. 

gloir,    glory. 

glos,    treat  of,  recite. 

glowrit,    stared. 

glowmand,    gloomy. 

gluder,    talk,  wheedle. 

gluif,    glove. 

glytrand,    glittering. 

goik,    cuckoo. 

gois,    goes. 

goldspynk,    goldfinch. 

golk,    cuckoo. 

gone,    go,  pass. 

gorrit,    gored,  wounded. 

gormaw,    cormorant. 

gormondlyke,    greedily. 

gouernance,    conduct,  care, 
management. 

gouerning,    livelihood. 

goule,    gull. 

goustly,    ghastly,  ghostly. 

governale,    rule. 

govirnance,  govirning,    be- 
haviour, conduct. 

gowlis,    red. 

gowlyne,    howling,    lamenta- 
tion. 

graid,    prepared,  ready. 

graip,    handle,  grasp. 

graith,    direct,  straight. 

graith,    ready. 

graith,    prepare. 

graithit,    prepared,  equipped. 

graithly,    readily. 

grane,    groan. 

granis,    grains,  pollen. 

granit,    deep  red. 


GLOSSARY. 


213 


grant,    agreement, 
grap,    obtain, 
grat,    wept, 
grathit,    adorned, 
gravis,    groves. 
gre,    degree, 
gre,    prize,  honour, 
greable,    gracious, 
grece,    gray, 
gree,    degree,  step, 
greif,    molest,  hurt, 
greiking,    dawning  (graying), 
grein,    green, 
greit,    weep, 
greit,    great,  large, 
greit,    gravel, 
grene,    green, 
gresy,    grassy. 
gret,    wept, 
gretumly,    greatly, 
greyn,    green, 
greyne,    fabric, 
grit,    great. 

grot,    groat,  four-penny  piece, 
grottis,    groats,  coarse  meal, 
ground,    take  root, 
growe,    shudder,  shiver, 
growyt,    shuddered, 
gruchen,    grudge,  repine, 
grund,    ground,  earth, 
grundin,    ground,  sharpened, 
gruntill,    snout, 
grutchyng,     reluctance,   hesi- 
tation, 
grynd,    grinned, 
gryntar,    keeper  of  a  granary, 
gryse,    pig. 


gudame,    grandmother. 

gudeliare,    goodlier,  fairer. 

gudelihede,    beauty. 

guddis,    goods,  possessions. 

gukgo,    cuckoo. 

gukkit,    silly. 

gum,    mist. 

gurll,    stormy. 

gus,  guse,    goose. 

gust,    flavour. 

gyans,    giants. 

gyff,   if. 

gylt,    gild. 

gym,    brilliant. 

gymp,    gay. 

gyn,  gyne,    engine. 

gynour,    engineer. 

gyrd,    strike. 

gyrdit,    bound,  hooped. 

gyrs,    grass. 

gys,    fashion,  custom. 

hable,    enable,  fit. 
haboundanle,    abundantly, 
hams,    have  (imper.). 
haif,  haiff,    have, 
haiknay,    hackney, 
haill,    hail, 
haill,    healthy,  sound, 
haill,    whole,  entire,  all. 
hailsing,    saluting, 
hailsum,    healthful, 
hair,  haire,    gray,  hoar, 
hairtfullie,    heartily, 
hairtly,    hearty, 
hait,    warm, 
hakkit,    hacked. 


214 


GLOSSARY. 


hald,    hold,  keep, 
haldin,    held,  kept, 
hale,    whole,  entire, 
halely,    entirely,  altogether, 
halfdel,    half, 
halff,    behalf,  sake, 
half  heid,    side  of  the  head, 
halflyng,    partly, 
hals,    neck, 
halsit,    saluted, 
hals-ribbane,    neck-ribbon, 
haltane,    haughty, 
haly,    holy, 
halynace,    holiness, 
hamely,  hamelie,    homely, 
familiar. 

hame,    home. 

hamewart,    homeward. 

hamis,    hames   (part  of  har- 
ness). 

handbreid,    handbreadth. 

hang,    hung. 

hantis,    practises. 

hapnyn,    happen,  chance. 

happy,    lucky. 

har,    hoar,  gray. 

har,    sharp,  piercing. 

harberie,    lodging,  shelter. 

hard,  harde,    heard. 

hardis,    hards  of  flax. 

hardely,    boldly,  strongly. 

hames,    armour. 

harrald,    herald. 

harsk,    rough. 

hartlie,    hearty. 

hasart,    frozen. 

hatr»nt,     hatred. 


hauld,    stronghold, 
hautand,    haughty, 
having,    behaviour, 
havy,    heavy, 
haw,    pale, 
hawles,    destitute, 
hecht,    intend,  promise, 
hecht,    proposed,  promised, 
hecklyt,    hooked,  clasped, 
hede,    head, 
hegeit,    hedged, 
hegis,    hedges, 
heich,    high, 
heid,    head, 
heild,    cover, 
heilie,    haughty, 
heill,    health,  welfare, 
heir,    here, 
heir  eft,    hereafter, 
heirly,    splendid,  noble, 
heit,    heat, 
hekkyll,    hackles, 
heklyt,     hooked,  clasped, 
helf,    help, 
heling,    covering, 
hely,    loudly, 
hend,    kind,  gracious, 
hent,    seize,  seized, 
henwif,      hen-wife,    poultry- 
keeper, 
her,    hear, 
herbere,    shrubbery, 
herbry,    entertain,  lodge, 
herely,    noble,  splendid, 
herrold,    herald, 
hert,    heart, 
her-till,    to  this. 


GLOSSARY. 


215 


hertis,    harts. 

hervist,    harvest. 

hes,    has. 

het,    hot. 

hething,    mockery. 

hevyne,    heaven. 

hewit,    hued,  coloured. 

hewit,    exalted. 

hewy,    heavy. 

hey,  heych,    high,  aloud. 

heyd,    head. 

heynd,    gentle,  gracious. 

heynd,    man,  person. 

heyr,    here. 

heyrd,    herd. 

heyt,    heat. 

hicht,    height,  loftiness. 

hiddy-giddy,     up  and  down. 

hidowis,    hideous. 

hidlis,    hiding-places. 

hie,    high. 

hie  (on),    aloud. 

hiely,    hastily,  swiftly. 

hienace,    highness,  dignity. 

hine,    hence. 

hing,    hang. 

hint,    seize,  seized,  taken. 

hint,    clutch. 

hippit,    hopped. 

hirnys,    corners,  nooks. 

hoill,    hole. 

hoip,    hope. 

hoir,    hoary. 

hois,    hose. 

hoist,    cough. 

holsum,    wholesome. 

holt,    woodland,  wooded  hill. 


holyne,    holly, 
hone,    delay, 
honest,    honourable, 
honestly,     honourably,    cour- 
teously, 
hore,    hoary,  gray, 
hornit,    horned, 
hornys,    horns, 
hote,    hot. 
houerit,    hovered, 
houndreith,    hundred, 
hostillar,    inn-keeper, 
hout,    holt,  wood, 
hovit,    lifted, 
howp,    hope, 
hoyt,    hot. 

huche,    heugh,  steep  bank, 
hude,    hood, 
huf,  huif,    tarry,  wait, 
hugly,    "gl.V. 
huit,    waited,  watched, 
huke,    hook, 
huke,    outer  garment, 
hunde,    hound, 
huny,    honey, 
hwntyng,    hunting, 
hy,  hye,    haste, 
hycht  (upon),    loudly, 
hydwys,    hideous, 
hyit,    hied, 
hynd,    kind,  gracious, 
hyndis,    hinds,  female  deer, 
hyne,    hence,  thence, 
hyng,    hang, 
hyngand,    hanging, 
hynt,    seized, 
hyr,    her. 


216 


GLOSSARY. 


hyrd  gromis,     herd-boys, 
hyreild,    heriot. 
hyrst,    clump,  bunch,  thicket, 
hyt,    hit,  struck. 

ia,    jay. 

iangill,    prate. 

iangland,    chattering. 

iapand,     japing,  mocking. 

iblent,    blinded,  dazzled. 

ielousye,    jealousy. 

ienepere,    juniper. 

ilk,  ilka,    each,  every. 

ilk,    same. 

ilkane,    each  one. 

illustare,    illustrious. 

in,    dwelling,  house. 

influent,    powerful. 

infortune,    misfortune. 

inhibitioun,    prohibition. 

iniur,    injury. 

inmytee,    enmity. 

inqueir,    inquire. 

intent,    thought. 

inthrang,    pressed  in. 

intill,    in,  into. 

in  to,    in. 

inuy,    invy,     dislike,    enmity, 

annoyance, 
invnctment,    ointment, 
inwart,    intimate, 
iowkit,    juggled. 
ioye,    joy. 
irne,     iron. 

ische,    issue,  come  forth, 
ischit,  ischyt,     issued, 
isch  schoklis,    icicles. 


ithand,    constant,  incessant. 

iuge,    judge. 

iuperdys,    tricks. 

ive,    ivy. 

i-wis,    indeed,  truly. 

ja,    jay. 

janglour,    tale-bearer. 

jeperte,    chance. 

jem,    gem. 

joly,    pleasing. 

jornaying,    jousting,   combat. 

journe,     day's   work,    feat   of 

arms, 
jow,    juggler. 

kai,  kay,    jackdaw,  chough, 
keip,    heed,  attention, 
keip,    take  heed,  watch, 
keklis,    cackle,  chatter, 
kell,    caul,  cap,  coif, 
kem,    comb, 
kemmit,    combed, 
ken,    know,  tell, 
kend,    known, 
kendill,    kindle, 
kepand,    keeping, 
kepit,    guarded, 
kerver,    carver, 
kervit,    cut. 
kest,    cast,  threw, 
kest,    cast,  pondered, 
kest,    lot,  fortune, 
kethat,    cassock, 
keyne,    keen, 
kirklyk,    clerical, 
kirsp,    lawn. 


GLOSSARY. 


217 


kist,    chest. 

kith,    neighbourhood. 

kith,    show,  display,  make 

known. 
kithit,    shown, 
knaif,    boy,  servant, 
knawe  barne,    male  child, 
kneis,    knees, 
knet,    entwined,  close, 
knap,    snap,  pull, 
knop,    bud. 
knyp,    nipped, 
kuke,    cook, 
ky,    kine,  cows, 
kyddis,    kids,  young  of  the 

roe-deer, 
kyith,    make  known  (imper.). 
kyn,    lineage,  race, 
kynd,    nature,  instinct, 
kyrnellis,    battlements, 
kyth,    show,  make  known. 

laggerit,    drenched,  soaked. 

laid,    lay. 

laid,    blew. 

laid,    load. 

laid,    exacted,  charged. 

laif,    rest,  remainder. 

laip,    lap. 

lair,    lore. 

laiser,    leisure. 

laith,    loth. 

laithlie,    loathly,  ugly. 

laitis,    manners. 

lakkit,    lacked. 

lammis,    lambs. 

landbrist,    flood,  torrent. 

16 


lane,    conceal, 
langit,    lounged,  lingered, 
lap,    leaped,  sprang, 
lap  on,    mounted, 
lard,    laird,  master, 
largesse,    liberality, 
laser,    leisure, 
lasit,    laced, 
lat,    hinder, 
lat,    let. 
lath,    hateful, 
latis,    manners, 
lattin,    let. 
latting,    letting, 
lattoun,    brass,  brazen, 
laubour,    labour, 
lauch,    laugh. 

lauchfull,    law-abiding,  loyal, 
laue,  lave,    rest,  remainder, 
laverock,    lark, 
law,  lawe,    low. 
lawch,    low,  down, 
lawd,    loud, 
lawtee,    loyalty, 
layik  men,    laymen, 
le,    lee,  sheltered,  shelter, 
leche,    physician, 
ledderys,    ladders, 
ledys,    lead, 
leiche,    physician, 
leichecraft,    medicine,   sur- 
gery, 
leid,    lead. 

leid,    persons,  people, 
leid,    language,  learning, 
leide,    carry, 
leif,    live. 


7ak  ,    £/*7K.eSj  ^{Tta^/'a&ZZr 


L'lX 


GLOSSARY. 


leif,    leave. 

leif,    leaf. 

leif,    permit. 

leigis,    subjects. 

leile,  leill,    faithful. 

leip  on,    mount. 

leir,    learn,  teach. 

leird,    taught. 

leis,    lose,  get  rid  of. 

leit,    let,  allowed. 

leit  gyrd,    let  drive,  struck. 

lelely,    truly,  honestly. 

lemand,    flaming,  shining. 

lemman,    lemmane,     love, 

sweetheart, 
lemys,    beams. 
lemyng,    blazing, 
lemyt,    blazed,  shone, 
lende,    tarry,  linger,  dwell, 
lent,    tarrying, 
lent,    leaned, 
lent,    given,  bestowed, 
lenth,    length, 
lenthyng,    lengthening. 
lentren,    Lent  (fast ). 
lerit,    clergy, 
lesing,    lying,  lie. 
lest,    please,  pleased, 
lesum,    lawful, 
lestyt,    lasted,  held  out. 
lesyng,    lie,  falsehood. 
let,    hinder,  hindrance,  delay. 
letit,    prevented, 
lett,    cessation. 
leuch,  leuche,     laughed, 
leues,    leaves, 
levair,    preferable. 


levand,    living, 
levir,    rather, 
levis,    leaves,  C{.uq^ 
levit,    left, 
levyne,     lightning, 
levys,    lives, 
levys,    leaves, 
levyt,     lived, 
lewche,    laughed, 
lewit,    lived, 
lewyd,    left. 
lewyd,    liclieved. 
lewyne,    lightning,  light, 
lewyt,    left, 
ley,    meadow, 
hand,    lying, 
libard,     leopard, 
libberla,    staff!,  club, 
licht,    light,  bright, 
lichtit,    alighted. 
lichtlie,    lightly. 
lif,    live, 
liffand,    living, 
lift,    sky,  air. 

liking,    happiness,  pleasure, 
lig,    lie. 

lime,    clay,  mud,  slime, 
ling,    moor,  heath, 
ling,    line, 
list,    please, 
listly,    at  pleasure, 
lofe,  loif,    praise, 
loft  (apon),    aloud, 
lokerand,     curling. 
lokman,    executioner, 
loppin,    leapt. 
I lork,    lark. 


GLOSSARY. 


219 


lorne,    lost. 

losyt,    lost. 

loueris,    lovers. 

loun,    knave. 

loure,    crouch. 

louse,   lous,    loose,   with 

loosened  garments, 
loutit,    stooped,  bowed, 
lovit,    praised, 
lowe,    fire. 

lowkyt,    closed,  fastened, 
lowne,    tranquil,  calm, 
lowng,    lungs. 

lowrand,    crouching,  lurking, 
lowt,    bow. 
lowys,    lochs,  lakes, 
lowys,    low,  bellow, 
luche,    laughed, 
lude,    loved, 
lufe,  luiff,    love, 
lufesumly,    amicably, 
luffer,    liver, 
luffis,    love, 
lug,    ear. 
luge,    lodge, 
lugit,    lodged, 
lugyng,    lodging, 
luif,    palm  of  the  hand,  hand, 
luik,    look, 
lukand,    looking, 
luke,    look. 
Iun3ie,    loins, 
lute,    let. 
luvaris,    lovers, 
lyand,    lying, 
lychtare,    delivered, 
lychtit,    alighted. 


lyf,    person,  being, 
lyff,    body, 
lyft,    sky,  air. 
lyk,    be  pleased, 
lykame,    body, 
lyking,    pleasure, 
lylleis,    lilies, 
lyme,    mire, 
lympit,    crippled, 
lynde,    linden, 
lyng,    line, 
lynt,    flax, 
lyntquhyte,    linnet, 
lyssour,    pasture, 
lyst,    like  to. 
lyte,    little,  small, 
lyve  (on),    alive, 
lyvit,    lived, 
lywe,    life. 

ma,    more, 
ma,    may. 
ma,    make. 

macht,     matched,  contended, 
macull,    defect,  stain, 
madin,    maid, 
magre,    maugre,  despite, 
magre,     ill-will,   hostile  pur- 
pose, 
maid,    made, 
mai^heis,    eyelets, 
maine,    moan, 
mais,    makes,  make, 
maiss,    mess,  dish, 
maist,    most,  largest, 
maistrye,    force,  power, 
makis,    mates. 


220 


ULOSSARY. 


makles,    matchless. 
malisone,    curse. 
manace,  manans,    threats, 
threatening. 

manassyng,    threatening. 

mane,   mane-breid,     tine 
white  bread. 

mane,    moan. 

maner,  manar,    manor,  man- 
sion. 

mangerie,    food,  provision. 

mangit,    deranged. 

manswet,    gentle,  affable. 

mantemyt,    maintained. 

mantill  wall,    screening  wall. 

mar,     more. 

mar,    trouble, distress,  binder. 

mark,    a  mark  (f  of  a  pound). 

mark,     march,  walk-. 

marle^on,    merlin,  hawk. 

marrit,    troubled. 

marrow,    companion. 

martoune,     martin. 

martris,    martyrs. 

mason    dew,     Maison    Dieu, 
hospital. 

mast,    most,  greatest. 

mat,    trouble. 

matche,    contend. 

matchit,    matched,   arranged. 

mate,    bailie. 

mavis,  mavyss,    thrush. 

maw,    gull. 

mayle,    armour. 

mayne  breid,     white  bread. 

mayss,     makes. 

meid,     meadow. 


meir,    mare. 

meit,    meat. 

meit,    comely,  becoming. 

meirswyne,     porpoise. 

mekle,  mekil,    great,  much. 

mellit,    mingled. 

menatair,     Minotaur. 

mendis,    remedies. 

mendis  (ane),    amends. 

mene,    declare. 

mene  (maid  to),    offered. 

mensk,    honour. 

ment,    said. 

ment,    mingled. 

ment,    went  forth. 

menys,     laments. 

men;e,  mendie,    company, 

train, 
mer,    wander,  go  astray, 
mer,  mere,    mare, 
mercat,    merchandise, 
merket,    walked,  proceeded. 
merle,  merll,     blackbird. 
merl;on,     merlin,  hawk, 
merwalus,    marvellous, 
merwell,    marvel, 
mess,    mass, 
mesure,    deportment, 
mesurit,    measured, 
meyne,    declare,  say. 
meyl,    meat,  food. 
micht,     might,  strength, 
midding,    dung-heap. 
middis,    midst, 
mikill,     much, 
mirk,    march,  walk, 
mirk,    dark. 


GLOSSARY. 


221 


mime,  mirry,    merry,  gay. 

misfayr,    misadventure. 

misgane,    gone  amiss. 

misknawlege,  mistake. 

mistar  (for),    at  need. 

mittane,    hawk. 

mo,    more,  beside. 

moddir,    mother. 

moich,    moist. 

moir,    more. 

mold,    earth,  land. 

mon,    must. 

mone,    moon. 

mont,    mount. 

moon,     moan,  complaint. 

mortall,    deadly. 

mortfundit,    deadly  cold. 

mot,    may. 

mowis,    grimaces. 

mowyt,    moved,  stirred  up. 

mude,    mind,  feelings. 

mur,  muir,  mure,    moor. 

murdreist,    murdered. 

mure,    demure. 

murne,    mourn. 

must,    musk. 

mvddir,    mother. 

myance,    means,  resources. 

mycht,    might,  ability. 

myddis  (in),    amid,  in  the 
middle. 

myghe,    gnat. 

mylioun,    million. 

mynd,    memory,   remem- 
brance. 

myngit,    mixed. 

myr,    mire. 


myr,    myrrh, 
myrk,    dark. 

myschef,     mishap,    disadvan- 
tage. 
mysfayr,    mishap,  disaster, 
myss,    amiss, 
myssyt,    missed, 
myster,    skill,  art. 
myterit,    mitred, 
myttane,    kind  of  hawk. 

na,    no,  not,  nor. 

naedes,    naiads. 

naine,    none. 

nait,    need. 

nakyn,    no  (no  kind). 

nakyt,    naked,  bare. 

nane,    none,  nothing. 

napry,    table-linen. 

nar,    near. 

narrest,    nearest. 

nayne,    none. 

neb,    beak,  bill. 

nech,    near. 

nechit,    drew  near. 

neidlingis,    of  necessity. 

neir,    near. 

neir,    draw  near,  approach. 

nek-hering,    (see  note). 

ner,    near. 

nest,    next. 

netherit,    deformed. 

nevyn,    name,  call. 

new,    renew. 

neyst,    next. 

neysthyrlys,    nostrils. 

nicht,    night. 


■l-l-l 


GLOSSARY. 


nichtit,    grew  night. 

nirar,    nearer. 

nixt,    next. 

nocht,    not,  nought. 

nok,    hook,  crook. 

nolt,    cow,  cattle. 

none,    noon. 

not,    note,  declare. 

nouther,    neither. 

nowcht,     nought,  not. 

nowmer,  nowmyr,    number. 

noy,     hindrance,  molestation. 

noyis,  noys,  noyss,    noise. 

noyne,    noon. 

nuke,  nwke,    corner. 

nurist,    nourished. 

nys,    skilfully,  curiously. 

nyse,    foolish. 

nyte,    deny. 

obeysand,    obedient. 

obumbrat,    overshaded. 

occiane,    ocean. 

Occident,    in  the  west. 

ocht,    aught. 

odouris,    flowers  (odours). 

of,    of,  off'. 

off  buffe,    above. 

off  way,    away. 

omast,    topmost. 

onbydrew,    withdrew,  drew 

hack, 
one,    alone. 

onlappit,    opened,  unfolded. 
on  loft,     aloft,  up,  .aloud, 
onon,     anon. 
onschot,    opened. 


onwart,    addition,  profit. 

onywys,     any  wise. 

or,    ere,  before. 

ordanit,     prepared. 

orere,    back. 

orere,    go  back,  decline. 

orfeuerye,    goldsmith's  work. 

orisoun,  orysoun,    prayer. 

orizont,     horizon. 

orloger,    clock. 

ost,     host. 

other,  othir,    or,  either. 

ouerthwart,    across. 

ouerwent,    overcome,  over- 
came. 

ouirman,    arbitrator,  umpire. 

our,    over. 

ourcome,    recover. 

ourdraif,    passed,  spent. 

ourfret,    adorned. 

ourheildand,    covering  up. 

ouris,    ours. 

ourkest,    overcast. 

ourquhelm,    overturn. 

ourquhelmyt,    covered,  tilled. 

ourtane,    overtaken. 

ourthwort,    across. 

ourtirvit,    turned  over. 

ourwalter,    toss. 

out-our,  outtour,    over. 

outray,    outrage. 

out-throw,    throughout, 
through. 

outwith,    outside  of. 

owdir,    either. 

owsprang,    sprang  out. 

owtbrastyng,     bursting  out. 


GLOSSARY. 


223 


owth,    on,  over,  outside, 
owttour,    over. 

pace,     Easter. 

pacock,  pacoke,    peacock. 

palys,    pales. 

pal;one,    pavilion. 

pallat,    skin. 

pane,    apparel. 

pane,    pains. 

pansing,    thinking,  thoughts. 

papeiaye,    parrot. 

papingo,    parrot. 

parische,    perish. 

parpalling,    partition. 

parrell,    peril. 

partit,    particoloured. 

partrik,    partridge. 

party,    particoloured. 

party,    side. 

partye,     (see  note). 

pasand,    pacing. 

pasche,    Easter. 

passit,    past. 

passioun,    suffering,  death. 

pastance,    pastime. 

patelet,    ruff. 

pauyot,    (see  note). 

payit,    content,  satisfied. 

payne,    penalty. 

payntit,    painted. 

peax,    peace. 

pece,    place,  spot. 

peciable,    peaceable. 

pedder,    pedlar. 

pege,    page. 

peir,    peer. 


peir,    peer. 

peirs,    pierce. 

peirsand,    piercing. 

peis,    peas. 

pelf,    ware. 

pellet,    skin. 

per,    peer. 

perance,    appearance,  sight. 

perfay,    in  faith. 

perfyte,    perfect. 

perllis,    pearls. 

perpall,    partition. 

perqueir,  perquer,    by  heart. 

perreiss,    perish. 

perrell,    danger,  difficulty. 

pers,    blue-gray. 

persand,  piercing. 

persauit,    perceived. 

persing,    piercing. 

pert  (in),    openly. 

persoun,  person,    parson. 

pertrik,    partridge. 

peryll,    peril. 

pete,    pity. 

peth,    path. 

petuos,    piteous. 

peure,    poor. 

pew,    cry  of  a  bird. 

pietie,    pity. 

pieteous,    pious. 

pik,    pitch. 

pikis,    spikes. 

pikmaw,    tern. 

pillycane,    pelican. 

pirkis,    perches. 

piscence,    might,  puissance. 

pistill,    tale. 


224 


GLOSSARY. 


pite,     pity. 

pith,    strength. 

plane,    plain. 

plane,    straight,  straightway. 

plane,    lament. 

planyt,    explained. 

plas,    place. 

playnt,    complaint. 

pleid,    contention,  debate. 

pleid,    pull,  pluck. 

pleiss,    please,  pleasure. 

plene,    complain. 

plenished,    furnished. 

plenyst,    replenished. 

plen^he,    complain. 

plen^eit,    complained. 

pless,     please,  pleasure. 

plet,    clasped,    entangled, 
folded. 

plettand,    plaiting,  twining. 

pleyne,    disport,  play. 

pleyne,    complain. 

plicht,    plight,  assure. 

pluch,     plough. 

plumys,    plumes. 

pluver,  pluvar,    plover. 

ply,    plight,  good  or  bad  con- 
dition. 

point,    (see  note). 

pome,    scent-ball. 

port,    gate. 

portcules,    portcullis. 

portrature,    form,  figure. 

porturat,    portrayed. 

posseid,    possess. 

pot,    pit. 

pottingry,     pbarmacy. 


pout-staff,    (see  note). 

poveraill,     poor   people,    rab- 
ble. 

povne,    peacock. 

power,    army,  force. 

power,    ability. 

poynt,    lace,  tag. 

pransand,    prancing. 

practik,    craft,  art. 

preif,    try,  endeavour. 

preif,    proof. 

preik,    spur. 

preisit,    reckoned. 

preiss,    exert,  attempt. 

prent,    stamp,  appearance. 

presandlie,    quickly. 

pressyt,    moved  forward,  ad- 
vanced. 

prest,    quickly. 

prest,    priest. 

previe,    secret,  private. 

preving,    proving. 

prewale,    privily. 

prewete,  prewyte,    secresy, 

preys,    throng,  press. 

preys,    effort. 

prikit,    spurred. 

prochit,    approached. 

prompit,    advanced,  started. 

promyt,    promise. 

provit,    proved,  showed. 

prow,    eminence. 

pruff,    prove,  endure. 

prun;eand,    decking   them- 
selves. 

prymros,    primrose. 

prys,     price. 


GLOSSARY. 


225 


prys,    valuable. 

pryse,    value. 

pryss,    prize. 

puddyngis,     puddings,   intes- 
tines. 

puire,    pure. 

pulderyt,    studded. 

puldyr,    dust,  powder. 

pull,    pluck,  plunder. 

pultrie,    poultry. 

pundar,    pound-keeper. 

pundfald,     pound    (inclos- 
ure). 

pungityue,    piercing. 

pur,    poor. 

purchace,    procure,  succeed. 

purches,    plunder. 

purfillit,    trimmed. 

purpurat,    purple. 

purviance,    provision. 

pwte,    put. 

pychar,    pitcher. 

pyk,    pitch. 

pyke,    get,  steal. 

pykis,    spikes. 

pykeris,    thieves. 

pykestalf,    pike-staff. 

pykland,    pecking. 

pyndit,    pounded  (put  in  a 
pound). 

pyot,    magpie. 

pypand,    shining. 

pyrlit,    thrust. 

pyte,    pity. 

quaking,    quivering, 
quhail,    whale. 

17 


quhair,    where. 

quhairon,    whereon. 

quhais,    whose. 

quhar,  quhare,    where. 

quhar,    aware. 

quharefor,  quhairfoir,    where- 
fore. 

quharso,    wheresoever. 

quhat-kin,    what  kind. 

quheill,  quhele,    wheel. 

quheit,    wheat. 

quhen,    when. 

quhedirand,    roaring,  whiz- 
zing. 

quhilk,    which. 

quhill,    until,  while. 

quhilum,    once,  formerly. 

quhip,    whip. 

quhirlys,    drives.  . 

quhislis,    whistles. 

quhite,    white. 

quhither,    whether. 

quhois,    whose. 

quhy,    why. 

quhyle,  quhyll,    time. 

quhylis,    sometimes. 

quhylum,    whilom,  once. 

quhyne  stane,    whinstone. 

quhyrlit,    whirled,  drove. 

quhyslyt,    whistled. 

quhyt,  quhyte,    white. 

quyk,  qwyk,    alive. 

quyt,    requite,  repay. 

quyt,    quite,  completely. 

quytter,    twitter. 

qwhipe,    whip. 

qwyte,    quite,  entirely. 


226 


GLOSSARY. 


ra,  roe. 

raby     (see   note   at  end   of 
Glossary.) 

rad,    afraid. 

rad,    rode. 

radius,    radiant. 

raftre,    rafter. 

rahers,    repeat. 

rahress,  (raherss  ?),    speech? 

raid,    rode. 

raid  (to  be),    to  fear. 

raif,  raiff,    tore,  broke. 

raik,      range,   advance,   pro- 
ceed. 

raike,    reach. 

raip,  raipe,    rope. 

rair,    roar. 

rais,    hack,  damage. 

rais,  arose- 

raith,    early,  quick,  soon. 

rak,    go,  move. 

rak,    vapour. 

rakand,    going  about. 

rakkand,    recking,  caring. 

raklessly,    recklessly,  care- 
lessly. 

ran,  rane,    voice,  clamour. 

randoune,    rush,  swift  course. 

rang,    reigned. 

rangall,    camp-followers. 

rank,    luxuriant. 

rany,    rainy. 

rape,    rope. 

rapploch,    a   coarse   stuff, 
frieze. 

ras,    rose. 

rate,    rule. 


rath,    early,   quick,    urgent, 

hasty, 
raucht,    reached,  brought, 
rauchtir,    rafter, 
rauin,  ravyne,    raven, 
raw,  rawe,    row,  company, 

flock, 
raweng,    revenge, 
rax,    reach, 
rax,    stretch  (hang). 
rax,    rouse, 
ray,    array, 
ray,    roe. 
rebaldis,    ribalds, 
rebalkit,    rebuked, 
rebuik,    rebuke,  check, 
record,    reply, 
recouerence,    recovery, 
recounsilit,    (see  note), 
recreat,    refreshed, 
red,    advise, 
red,    frightened, 
reddilie,    easily, 
redis,    reeds, 
redles,    without  counsel,  at  a 

loss, 
reducyng,    bringing, 
redymyte,    adorned, 
reffuss,  refuiss,    renounce, 
refyd,    plundered,  seized, 
regne,    reign, 
reid,    red. 
reid,    advice, 
reid,    counsel,  plan, 
reid,    stomach, 
reid  raip,    rope  of  rushes, 
reid  weyd,    reed,  bulrush. 


GLOSSAKY. 


227 


reik,    reach. 

reioss,    rejoice. 

reiosyng,    rejoicing. 

reivis,    bereavest,  robbest. 

relyng,    giving  way. 

remed,    remedy. 

remelis,    remedies? 

remuffit,    drove  away. 

renk,    way. 

ren^e,    rein,  bridle. 

repair,   repar,     resort,  resort 

ing,  concourse, 
repaterit,  refreshed,  fed. 
reproif,    rebuke,  blame, 
requeir,    require,  request, 
rerd,    shout,  noise,  uproar, 
rerdyt,    resounded, 
resauit,  ressayvyd,    received, 
ressett,    abode, 
ressoun,    reason, 
ressoning,    reasoning,  debate, 
reuin,    raven, 
reulit,    arranged, 
revand,    robbing,  plundering, 
reveir,    river, 
revesting,    clothing, 
revyn,    torn,  split, 
rew,    take  pity, 
rewill,  rewl,    rule, 
rewth,    pity, 
richt,    right, 
richtuis,    righteously, 
rig,    back, 
ringis,    reigns, 
rise,    bushes. 

rise    blwmys,      blossoms    on 
bushes. 


ritchess,    riches, 
ro,    i-oe. 

rocat,     rochet   (bishop's   ves- 
ture), 
roche,    rough, 
rochis,    rocks, 
roid,    rude, 
roiff,    quiet,  peace, 
rois,    rose, 
rok,    reek,  vapour, 
rolk,    rock, 
rolk,    hoarse, 
rolp,    croak, 
rong,    rang, 
rong,  rongyn,    reigned, 
ronnis,    bushes,  brambles, 
ross,    rose, 
rost,    roast, 
roth  (rolk?),    hoarse, 
roume,    kingdom,  estate, 
roun,  round,    whisper, 
roundar,    whisperer, 
roustie,    rusty, 
rout,    blow, 
rout,    host,  crowd, 
rout,    noise,  roar, 
routtis,    roars,  roar, 
rovndis,    rounds,  dances, 
rowch,    rough, 
rowm,    spacious, 
rowmys,    roam, 
rownar,    whisperer, 
rowp,    croak, 
rowte,    crowd, 
rowt,    blow, 
royd,    rude,  large, 
royn,    red. 


228 


GLOSSARY. 


roys,    rose, 
rubycund,    reddish. 
rud-evyn,    Holy-Cross  eve. 
rude,    rough, 
rude,  rud,    cross,  rood, 
ruf,    pause,  rest, 
ruf,    peace,  comfort, 
rufe,    comfortable, 
rufe,    rough,  fierce, 
rug,    piece, 
ruge,    pull, 
ruggit,    pulled, 
ruiff,    roof, 
ruik,  ruke,    rook, 
rumland,    rumbling, 
rummist,    roared, 
ruschit,     driven    back,    disor- 
dered, 
rusit,    admired, 
russell,    red  one  (fox), 
rutis,    roots, 
rwik,    rook, 
ryal,    royal, 
rycht,  right, 
rycht  (at),    completely, 
rychtwys,    rightful, 
ryfe,     plentiful,  abundant, 
ryiue,    tear,  rend, 
rym,    rim,  circle, 
rynd,    bark, 
rynnand,    running. 
,    rynnis,    run. 

rys,    branches,  twigs, 
rysp,     rushes, 
ryue,    tear. 

sa,    so. 

sacring,    consecrating. 


sad,    sad,  grave,  serious. 

saif,    save. 

saile,    hall. 

sair,    sore. 

saland,    sailing. 

salbe,    shall  be. 

said,    sold. 

salfgard,    protection. 

sail,  shall,  shalt. 

salmond,    salmon. 

salust,    saluted. 

samyn,    together. 

samyn,    same. 

sangwane,    blood-red. 

sanyt  her,    crossed  herself. 

sar,  sare,    sore. 

sarie,    sorry. 

sark,    shirt,  under-garment. 

saucht,    were  reconciled. 

saull,    soul. 

sayr,    pain. 

scaffatis,    scaffold. 

scaith,    harm,  damage. 

scalit,    scattered. 

scarth,    cormorant. 

schadowe,  schaddo,    shadow, 

reflection, 
schakaris,    pendants,  hanging 

drops, 
schand,    elegant,  handsome, 
schane,    shone, 
schap,  schape,    shape, 
schap,    make,  prepare, 
schap,    schape,     dispose,   set 

about, 
schapand,    figuring. 
schapin,    shaped, 
schare,    cut. 


GLOSSARY. 


229 


schaw,    show, 
schaw,    grove, 
schawin,    shown, 
sched,  schede,    parted,  sepa- 
rated, 
scheddand,    parting,  opening, 
scheill,    shelter, 
scheill,    cold, 
scheip,    sheep, 
schene,    bright,  clear, 
schent,    disgraced,  abashed, 
scherand,    cutting,  trenchant, 
scherald,    cut,  ploughed, 
scherp,    sharpen, 
schetis,    sheets. 
schew,    showed,  appeared, 
schewre,    cut  open,  ripped, 
schill,    cold, 
schill,    shrill, 
schiltrum,    squadron, 
schir,    sir. 
schir,    bright, 
scho,    she. 
schone,    shoes, 
schot  wyndo,    loop-hole, 
schour,  schowr,    shower, 
schour,    (see  note), 
schout,    shout, 
schout,    shoot,  blow, 
schow,    push,  spring, 
schoyt,    shout, 
schrew,    wicked  person, 
schrew,    beshrew. 
schroude,    garment, 
schroude,    clad, 
schrowdis,    covers, 
schrywe,    shrive. 


schuke,    shook. 

schup,    undertook,  set  about. 

schynand,    shining,  splendid. 

schyre,    sheer. 

schyrray,    sheriff. 

scorne,    mockery,  jest. 

screik,    shriek. 

scrogghy,    bushy. 

scug,    shadow,  shade. 

se,    see. 

se,    sea. 

sedis,    proceeds. 

sege,    seat,  siege. 

seik,    seek. 

seik,    sick. 

seill,    happiness,  salvation. 

seir,    many,  various,  separate. 

seith,    boil. 

sek,    sack. 

seke,    seek. 

sekerly,    sekirly,      surely, 

safely, 
sekyr,    sure,  safe, 
selcouth,     strange,  strange 

thing, 
sele,    seal, 
selie,    simple,  poor, 
sell,    self,  selves, 
sellerar,    cellarer, 
selwyne,    self,  selves, 
sely,    simple,  poor, 
se  maw,    sea-mew,  gull, 
semble,    assemble, 
semblit,    assembled, 
sembly,    seemly,  handsome, 
semyt,    seemed, 
sen,    since. 


230 


GLOSSARY. 


send,    sent. 

sene,    seen. 

sens,    incense. 

sensyne,    since  then,  since. 

sent,    scent. 

ser,  sere,    many,  various. 

serk,    shirt. 

seroppis,    sirups. 

seruand,    servant. 

service,    treatment. 

serwis,    deservest. 

serwyt,    worshipped. 

sesoun,  sessioune,  sessoun, 

season, 
sesyt,    settled,  established, 
set,    became,  suited, 
set  by,    decline, 
setten,    fix,  bind, 
settis,    sprouts. 
sewane,    (see  note). 

sey,    sea. 

seyne,    see,  learn. 

seyne,    seen. 

seyr,    many,  various. 

seyre,    sheer? 

seyrsand,    seeking. 

shrave,    confessed. 

sic,    such. 

sichit,    sighed. 

sicht,    sigh. 

sicht,    sight. 

sicker,    safe,  sure. 

sickerness,    security. 

signifere,    the  zodiac. 

sike,    sigh. 

sillie,    simple,  poor. 

silver- seik,    penny  less. 


sirculit,    surrounded. 

skaith,    injury,  harm. 

skamyll,    bench. 

skar,    take  fright,  scare. 

skeins,    shelves. 

skellat,    bell,  convent-bell. 

sklender,    slender,  lank. 

skripe,    mock. 

skryke,    shriek. 

skrym,    strike. 

skrym,    scream. 

skunnyrit,     shunned,  retired. 

skyrt  lappis,    outskirts. 

sla,    slay. 

slaid,    slipped,  glided. 

slaid,    valley,  hollow. 

slak,    valley. 

slaw,    slow. 

sle,    sly,  crafty. 

sle,    slack. 

sleif,    sleeve. 

sleikit,    smooth,  sleek. 

sleip,    sleep. 

slekyt,    sleek. 

sloith,  sloth,    sleuth-hound. 

slokkin,    quench,  extinguish. 

sloknyt,    quenched. 

slomering,    slumbering. 

slope,    breach. 

slyk,    mud, 

slwe,    slew. 

smaddit,    defded,  begrimed. 

smaik,    fellow. 

smaill,    small. 

smedy,    smithy,  forge. 

smert,    smart,  pain. 

smertly,    smartly,  sharply. 


GLOSSARY. 


231 


smorde,  smorit,    smothered. 

smuke,  smvke,    smoke. 

smydy,    smithy,  forge. 

snawe,    snow. 

snell,    sharp,  keen. 

snog,    snug,  trim. 

snypand,    cutting. 

socht,    sought. 

soiorned,    rested,  tarried. 

soir,    sorrel,  russet. 

solempnit,    solemn. 

solpit,    dejected. 

son,  sone,    soon. 

son,    sun. 

son^eis,    excuses. 

soppis,     showers,   wreaths  of 

vapour, 
sort,    pack,  crowd, 
soth,    truth, 
souch,    sound,  breeze, 
souerane,    sovereign,  royal, 
soul^e,    soil, 
sound,    safe, 
soune,  sovne,    sound, 
soung,    sung. 

sounjie,    excuse,  negligence, 
sow,    moveable  shed, 
sowk,    suck, 
sowld,    should, 
sowng,    sung, 
sowp,    sweep, 
sowp,    sup. 
soyne,    soon, 
soyr,    sorrel,  russet, 
spait,    freshet, 
spangis,    spangles, 
sparhalk,    sparrow-hawk. 


speir,    ask. 

speir,    sphere,  orbit. 

speit,    freshet,  flood. 

speit,    spit  (for  roasting). 

spell,    relate,  tell. 

spence,    store-room. 

spend,    wasted. 

spenser,    steward. 

sper,    spear,  staff,  handle. 

sperit,    asked. 

sperpellit,    scattered. 

speryd,  speryt,    asked. 

speyr,    sphere. 

spows,    spouse. 

spows,    espouse. 

sprang,    streak. 

spray,    branch. 

spray ngis,    streaks. 

spreit,    spirit,  sprite,  goblin. 

sprent,    sprang. 

spruklit,  sprutlit,    speckled. 

sprynkland,    darting. 

spu^eit,    despoiled. 

spynist,    thorny. 

squyary,    attendance  of 

squires, 
stabillit,    stilled,  calmed, 
stad,    placed,  beset, 
stage,    storey, 
staill,    main  body, 
stakker,    stagger, 
stall,    stole. 

stalward,    stalwart,  strong, 
stanchell,    kind  of  hawk, 
stane,    stone, 
stang,    pang, 
stankis,    moats,  ditches. 


232 


GLOSSARY. 


stannyns,     gravel,   gravelly 
bottoms. 

stanys,    stones. 

starn,    star. 

start,    contention,  brawling. 

stawe,    stole. 

steid,    place. 

steid,    steed,  horse. 

steill,    steel. 

steir,    move,  go. 

steir,    stir,  motion. 

steird,    stirred. 

stekit,    stabbed. 

stent,    ceased,  stopped. 

stepbarne,    step-child. 

ster,    bestir. 

steris,    move,  set  forth. 

sterve,  sterwe,    die  (slay?). 

stevyn,    voice. 

steyr,    move. 

stibyll,    stubble. 

sting,    pole. 

stint,    ceased. 

stith,    strong,  brave. 

stonayit,    stonischit,     as- 
tounded, dismayed. 

stoppel,    plug,  stopper. 

stoppyn,    stopping,  check. 

storme,    stormy. 

stound,    pain,  pang. 

stound,    moment,  time. 

stour,    conflict. 

stovis,    stoves. 

stovis,    mists,  vapours. 

stowp,    bowl. 

stowrand,    rushing. 

stra,    straw. 


straid,    strode. 

straif,    strove,  contended. 

straik,    struck. 

strak,    stroke,  blow. 

strand,    stream. 

straucht,    stretch,  stretched. 

straught,    straight. 

stray,    straw. 

strayt  (be),    strictly. 

streik,  strek,    stretch. 

strek,    strike. 

stremowr,    streamer. 

strenth,    stronghold. 

streyt,    street. 

strikin,    cut. 

stro,    straw. 

stroyit,    destroyed. 

strypyt,    stripped. 

stubill,    sturdy. 

stude,    stood. 

study,    stithy,  anvil. 

stuff,    provision. 

sture,    strong,  brave. 

sturt,    disturbance,  brawl. 

styll,    state,  condition. 

stynt,    cessation. 

stynt,    resist,  check,  stop. 

stythlie,      stiffly,   strongly ; 

hard, 
subcharge,    entree,  second 

course, 
succur,    succour, 
suddand,    sudden, 
suete,    sweet, 
suffer,    patient, 
suffragene,    vicegerent, 
suffys,    bear,  endure. 


GLOSSARY. 


233 


sugurat,    sugared,  sweet. 

suich,    such. 

suirlie,    surely. 

suith,    truth. 

suld,    should. 

sul^art,    shining. 

sul^e,    soil. 

sum,    some,  one. 

sum-deill,    somewhat. 

sumeuer,    soever. 

summer,    beam,  girder. 

summoundis,    commands, 
summons. 

suowchand,     sweeping,   rust- 
ling. 

supple,    assistance. 

suppois,  suppos,    perhaps,  in 
case  that,  even  if. 

suppryis,     outwit,   get   the 
better  of. 

suppryis,     surprisal,    outwit- 
ting. 

sustene,    sustain. 

sutelte,    craft,  skill. 

suth,    truth. 

suttell,    dexterous. 

swa,    so,  such. 

swak,    toss,  hurl. 

swannys,    swans. 

swanys,    peasants,  groom. 

swap,    fling,  hurl. 

swar,    neck. 

swardit,    grassy. 

sweir,    lazy. 

sweir,    swore. 

sweirness,    sloth. 

swelt,    died. 

18 


swerthbak,    black  gull. 

swevyng,    dream. 

swirk,    spring. 

swith,   strongly,  quickly,  very. 

swndir,    sunder. 

swochand,    swowchand, 

sweeping,  rustling, 
swoir,  swour,    swore, 
swouchis,    rustle, 
swounand,    swooning, 
swounit,    fainted, 
swyith,    swyth,      strongly, 

quickly,  very, 
swyr,    dale, 
swyth,    strong,  swift, 
sycht,    sight, 
syk,    ravine,  hollow, 
sykkyre,    sure,  safe, 
sylkyn,    silken, 
syluir,    silver, 
symmer,    summer, 
synamome,    cinnamon, 
syndry,    sundry,  various, 
syne,    then,  afterwards, 
syng,    sign, 
syngand,    singing, 
synopar,  synopeir,    cinnabar, 

deep  red. 
syon,    scion, 
sytts,    grieve. 

ta,    two. 

ta,    toe. 

ta,    take. 

taill,    story. 

tais,    toes. 

tai^e,  tailye,    slice. 


■j:i  I 


GLOSSARY. 


tait,    tight,  plump. 

tak  keip,    watch. 

take,    taken. 

takin,  takyn,    token,  emblem. 

taknyng,   takynning,     token, 

proof, 
takyne,    taken, 
tald,    told, 
tane,    taken, 
tane,    set  out. 
taris,    delay, 
tarsall,    falcon, 
teind,    tithe, 
tene,    anger,  angry, 
tene,    sorrow,  sad. 
tent,    heed,  notice, 
tepat,    tippet. 

ter,    tar. 

tetand,    peeping. 

teuch,    tough. 

teyne,    anger. 

thai,    they,  those. 

thairto,    moreover. 

thak,    thatch. 

thame,    them. 

thar,    their. 

thar,    there. 

thare-efftyr,    thereafter. 

tharth,    behoves. 

thartill,    thereto. 

their,    these. 

ther-ageyne,    against  it. 

thesaurer,    treasurer. 

thevis-nek,    thief's  neck,  gal- 
lows-bird. 

thig,    beg. 

thine,    thence. 


thir,    these. 

thise,    these. 

tho,    then. 

tho,    those. 

thocht,    though. 

thocht,  thoght,    thought. 

thoill,   thole,   tholl,     endure, 

allow, 
thone,    then, 
thoucht,    thought, 
thourtour  way,    cross-roads. 

thraf  caik,    unleavened  cake, 
biscuit. 

thraly,    violently,  fiercely. 

thrang,    throng. 

thrang,    thick. 

thrawe,    twist,  strangle. 

thrawe,    time. 

thrawin,    surly,  angry. 

threip,    quarrel. 

threip,    blame,  accuse. 

threit,    threaten,  threat. 

threit,    compelled  by  threats. 

threpit,    charged,  asserted. 

thrid,    third. 

thrinfauld,    triple. 

thring,    strike. 

thrissill,    thistle. 

thrist,    thirst. 

thrist,    thrust,  press. 

throwe,    through,  into. 

thryis,    thrice. 

thud,    assault,  beating. 

thusgat,   thus,  in  this  manner. 

thyrldome,    thraldom. 

ticht,    tied. 

till,    to. 


tA 


t/r>> 


EA 


«;-!<•«/ 


GLOSSARY. 


235 


tippit,    pointed, 
tissew,    under-garnient. 
tit,    pull,  drag, 
tit,    pulled,  seized, 
to-blaisterit,      blustered, 

stormed, 
to-forrow,    before, 
to-fruschyt,    broke  to  pieces, 

shattered, 
toke,    took, 
tone,    taken, 
topace,    topaz, 
tope,    topknot, 
toppit,    tufted, 
toung,    tongue, 
tour,    tower, 
towsill,    maltreat, 
trace,    way. 
trade,    track, 
traist,    sure,  assured, 
traistis,    believe  (imper.). 
translait,    transform, 
trap,    step. 

trast,    faithful,  trusty, 
trauerse,    curtain, 
travell,    labor, 
trawale,    travel,  journey, 
treil^eis,    trellis, 
treis,    trees,  poles, 
tretie,    entreaty, 
tretyt,    treated, 
trevesse,    curtain,  screen, 
treyis,    trees,  logs, 
trimill,    tremble 
trimland,    shaking, 
troch,  troich,    trough, 
trone,    throne. 


trop,    trap-door, 
troppellis,      small   parties, 

squads, 
trow,    true, 
trowe,    believe,  think, 
trowit,  trowyde,     believed, 

expected, 
truker,    cheat,  knave, 
trumpour,     braggart,  preten- 
der, 
tryakle,    remedy,  medicine, 
trymlit,    trembled, 
trypis,    entrails, 
tuchet,    lapwing, 
tueyne,    twain,  two. 
tuggill,    tackle,  strive  with, 
tuke,    took, 
tumit,    emptied, 
tumlit,    tumbled, 
turatt,    turret. 

turss,    betake,  pack  off. 

turtour,    turtle-dove. 

tuskit,    tusked. 

tussillit,    worried. 

twa,  tway,    two. 

twest,  twist,  twyst,    twig. 

twyne,    part,  separate. 

tyde,    time. 

tydy,    fine,  handsome. 

tyit,    tied. 

tyke,    dog. 

tyndis,    tines,  antlers. 

tyne,    lose,  be  lost,  perish. 

tynys,    wilt  lose. 

tyrit,  tyryt,    tired. 

tyt,    seized. 

tythandis,    tidings. 


236 


GLOSSARY. 


unburely,    rude,  unhandsome. 
uneith,    hardly, 
unfutesair,     not  foot-sore, 

fresh. 
unliklie,    unnaturally, 
upcast,    taunt,  jesting, 
uponland,    in  the  country. 
upwith,    rising,  ascending. 

vaille,    vale. 

vald,    would. 

vane,    vein. 

variance,    avoidance. 

vdder,  vder,  other,  each 
other. 

veilys,    calves. 

vencust,  conquered,  over- 
came. 

ventositeis,    blasts,  gusts. 

venust,    beautiful. 

vermel,    vermilion. 

ves,    was. 

veyne,    vain. 

vgsum,    ugly. 

vittale,    provisions. 

vmbekest,    reconnoitred. 

vmbrage,    shadow. 

vmest,    outer. 

vnaffraid,    fearless. 

vnburely,    rude,  unhandsome 

vncourtes,    discourteous. 

vnderta,    undertake 

vneis,  vneith,    hardly. 

vnfrely,     ugly. 

vnkend,    unknown. 

vnknawin,  ignorant,  un- 
known. 


vnrufe,    trouble,  disquiet. 

vnsasiable,    insatiable. 

vnschet,    opened. 

vnsell,    wretched. 

vnsemand,  unseemly,  un- 
becoming. 

vnset,    unseated. 

vnweildable,    unwieldy. 

voce,    voice. 

voundit,    wounded. 

vplandis,    country,  rural. 

vpraiss,    uprose. 

vpspred,    sprung. 

vpspringand,    arising. 

vpstowris,  is  stirred  up, 
arises. 

vpwarpis,    throws  open. 

vpwith,    ascending. 

vse,    use. 

vsyt,    used,  practised. 

vther,    other. 

vult,    countenance. 

vnsemand,    unbecoming. 

wa,    woe. 

wa,    sorry,  reluctant. 

wach,    guard. 

wag,    move,  advance. 

waggand,    wagging,  shaking. 

waike,    weak. 

waikynnit,    awoke. 

waill,    avail,  advantage. 

waill,    choice,  value. 

waill,    choose. 

wait,    know,  knows. 

waith,    booty,  game. 

waithman,    hunter. 


GLOSSAKY. 


237 


waithyng,    hunting,  game. 

wak,    wet. 

wald,    open  country,  wold. 

wald,    would. 

wale  (to),    at  choice. 

walentyne,    St.  Valentine's 

day. 
walk,  walkin,    wake,  watch, 
wallowit,      wallowed,    beaten 

down, 
wally,    billowy, 
walxis,    wax,  grow, 
wame,    womb,  belly, 
wan,    dark. 

wan,    won,  gained,  arrived, 
wan,    vain, 
wan  away,    got  away, 
wand,    branch,  tree,  paling, 
wandit,    wound,  bound, 
wane,    dwelling, 
wane,    plenty, 
wane,    counsel, 
wanrufe,    trouble, 
wantis,    is  wanting, 
wap,    fling. 

wappinnis,    weapons,  teeth, 
war,    aware,  cautious, 
warand,    warrand,     warrant, 
ward,    guard,  post, 
wardour,    verdure, 
wardrop,    wardrobe, 
wardropar,    chamberlain, 
warit,    gave  forth, 
warldly,    earthly, 
warp,    throw, 
warpit,    wrapped, 
waryit,    cursed. 


watter-caill,     broth    without 

meat, 
wattir-lynn,    waterfall, 
waucht,  wauchtit,    quaffed, 
wawerand,    wandering, 
wayage,    voyage,  journey, 
wayfe,    wave, 
wayis,    wise,  manner, 
wayn,    counsel, 
wayndit,    hesitated, 
wayt,    wet. 

we,  wei,    bit,  small  portion, 
wecht,    weight, 
wedder,   weather,  storm,  blast, 
wede,  weid,    garment, 
wedow,    widow, 
weid,    mad. 
weill,    well, 
weip,    weep, 
weir,    injury,  mischief, 
weir,    doubt,  fear, 
weir,    war. 
weir,    wear, 
weird,    fate,  destiny, 
we  it,    wet. 
wele,    weal,  welfare, 
welterit,    wallowed, 
wend,    go. 
wend,    thought, 
wer,    wire, 
wer,    war. 
werd,    fate,  destiny, 
weryit,    worried, 
wes,    was. 
wesche,    wash, 
weschyngis,    washings, 
wesy,    reconnoitre. 


238 


GLOSSARY. 


wevand,    weaving. 
weye,     way. 
weyle,    well, 
weyne,    hesitation. 
wgsum,    ugly, 
wiage,    journey, 
wicht,    strong,  brave, 
wicht,    wight,  person, 
widderit,    withered, 
widdie,  widdy,    withe,  gal- 
lows-rope, 
widequhair,    far  and  wide, 
will,    astray,  lost,  at  a  loss, 
wilsome    of    wane,     void   of 
counsel,  at  a  loss. 

wilsum,    wandering,  lost. 

win,    go. 

win,    dwell. 

winnis,    dwells. 

winnit,    dwelt. 

wirrie,    worry. 

wischit,    wished. 

wiss,    wish. 

wit,    know,  knowledge. 

withouttin,    without. 

with-thy,     on  condition  that 

wlonk,    lady,  gay  one. 

wmbeset,    besot. 

wo,    woeful. 

wobbys,    webs. 

woce,    voice. 

wod,     mad. 

wod,    wood, 
woddis,    woods. 
wode,  woid,    wood. 
woid,     mad. 
woir,    wore. 


woll,    wool, 
wolx,    grew, 
won,    dwell,  abide, 
wondyr,     wonderfully,   ex- 
tremely. 
woo,    woe. 

worschip,    honour,  fame, 
worth,    worthit,      become, 

became,  grew, 
worthis,    behoves,  is  neces- 
sary, 
worthit,    behoved,  was  neces- 
sary, 
worthy  n,    become, 
wortis,    plants, 
wosche,    washed, 
wote,    knows. 

wounder,       wonderfully,   ex- 
tremely, 
wount,    wont, 
wourd,    word, 
wox,    became, 
wp,  wpe,    up. 
wpland,    country, 
wpon,    upon, 
wpwart,    upward, 
wrait,    wrote, 
wraith,    wroth,  angry. 
wrang,    wrong, 
wrangwis,    wrongful,  un- 
righteous, 
wrat,    wrote, 
wreuch,    wretched, 
wrink,    trick,  device, 
wryttyne,    written. 
wthir,    other, 
wttraly,    utterly. 


GLOSSARY. 


239 


wude,    mad. 
wude,    wood, 
wy,    man. 

wyce,    looks,  appearance, 
wycht,    man,  person, 
wycit,     (see  note), 
wydderit,    withered, 
wydequhair,    far  and  wide, 
wyf,    wife,  woman, 
wyis,    wise, 
wyis,     wise,  way. 
wykkyt,    wicked, 
wyle,    craft, 
wylest,    vilest, 
wyly  coit,    jacket, 
wyndilstray,    spire  of  dry 

grass, 
wyne,    wine, 
wynning,    dwelling, 
wynnit,    dwelt, 
wyre,    cast,  hurl, 
wys,    wise. 

wysnit,    withered,  leafless, 
wyst,    know,  knew,  known, 
wyte,    know, 
wyte,    blame,  fault. 

ybought,    bought, 
ydy,    eddy,  pool. 
ye,    yea,  yes. 
yeid,    went, 
yeyt,  yhit,    yet,  still, 
yhowng,    young. 


ympnis,    hymns, 
yneuch,  ynewch,    enough, 
yre,    ire. 
yrnis,    irons, 
yschet,    issued, 
yschrowdyt,    dressed, 
ysowpit,    soaked,  sopped, 
yude,    went. 

jait,  gate. 

;ald,  3aild,    yielded,  gave  up. 

fallow,    yellow. 

3ar,    ready. 

3ard,    yard,  garden. 

^awmer,    outcry. 

^eid,    went. 

^eit,  jheit,    yet. 

3et,  3ett,    gate. 

^harnyt,    longed  for,  desired. 

3he,    ye. 

3heman,    yeoman. 

3hemyt,  3emyt,    kept,  had 

charge  of. 
3heyme,    guard. 
3ing,    young. 
3ond,    yonder. 
3one,    yon. 
3ong,  3onge,    young. 
30wle,    yell,  outcry. 
30wt,    hoot. 
3ude,    went. 
3ule,    Yule,  Christmas. 


240  ADDITIONAL    NOTES. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES. 


p.  65,  1.    94.     Aue  Baby.     Hail,  Rabbi  (or  Master). 

"  God  lyketh  nat  that  Raby  men  us  calle." 

Chaucer,  Sam.  T.  479. 

72,     276.    pleid.    Perhaps  " attack, "" assault." 

90,     359.    gleid  carll.    Should  have  been  defined  "squinting 

fellow,"  from  (/ley,  askance. 


SOUTHERN  BRANCH 

m/£BSlTY  of  CALIFORNIA 

LIBRARY 

ib*  Angeles  cauf. 


&+&4-  ^v\jS^ 


